MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Thursday that its Law Department has recommended filing a material misrepresentation complaint against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia revealed that the fingerprints in Guo’s voter registration matched those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.
“Iisang tao lang ang may-ari ng fingerprints,” he stated. “Yan ay base sa findings ng ating mga eksperto at ng ating mga investigating panel.”
Garcia added that the en banc will decide on the recommendation next week.
Guo has insisted she is a Filipino, particularly following Senate hearings regarding her alleged involvement in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).
The Senate issued a warrant of arrest against Guo after she failed to attend two hearings.
Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, criticized the Comelec’s move as “premature.”
“Issue pa kasi yung validity ng birth certificate nya. So, paano sasabihin na nag-misrepresent siya na Filipino?” he argued.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted on Thursday that they are having difficulty locating Guo.
“The challenge is may mga resources itong mga taong hinahanap natin at ang tao pagka gusto talaga magtago ay gagawa ng mga paraan at gagamit nung kanilang mga resources para to elude arrest at that is expected sa mga hinahanap na tao. But on the part of the PNP we are taking this as a challenge para mas lalong pag-igihan yung ating pagtatrabaho,” said PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos urged for patience regarding Guo’s arrest.
“Ginagawa ng lahat ng ating kapulisan of course itong kay Alice Guo, hindi lang naman pulis e, kasama ang NBI hinahanap sya. Gagawin natin ang lahat, irereport namin kung anong bagay na ginagawa namin at siguro once makita nila ano ginagawa once maunawaan nila,” he stated.