MANILA — After several delays and extensions, the camp of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has finally submitted her counter-affidavit in response to the misrepresentation case she faces before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed that Guo’s legal team filed the affidavit around 1 p.m. on Thursday.
“[But] with or without the counter-affidavit, [the case is] deemed submitted for resolution. Expect that by next week, the Law Department will make a recommendation to the en banc. The Comelec en banc will immediately act on the recommendation,” Garcia stated.
The case against Guo involves allegations that she falsely declared herself a Filipino citizen in her voting records, while evidence suggests that she is actually a Chinese national under the name Guo Hua Ping.
Garcia had previously assured the public that the Comelec en banc would rule on the case before September 20.
In a related matter, Garcia mentioned that Guo is not the only one facing a misrepresentation case in connection to the 2022 elections.
He revealed that the Legal Department had also recommended charges against five other individuals who allegedly misrepresented themselves when running for public office in 2022.
“Just the other day, at least five former candidates were recommended to be charged with misrepresentation,” Garcia told reporters, adding that this demonstrates that the Comelec is not singling out Guo.
“Regular kami may misrepresentation cases. Lima po kaagad yun misrepresentation cases. That will be decided by the Comelec… Mga mayors yun, barangay captain. Meron hindi seated,” Garcia said.