Senator Risa Hontiveros assured from the Department of Justice that Mayor Alice Guo will be held accountable for the charges filed against her before being deported.
“Kahit magkaroon ng penalty of deportation sa kanya, kapag na-convict siya in any of those cases, she will first have to serve her sentence here in the Philippines,” Hontiveros said in a press conference.
According to Hontiveros, aside from qualified human trafficking, Guo may face other charges due to possible identity theft, as asserted by those who spoke at the hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.
On the part of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the agency will cancel the mayor’s fake birth certificate, which they have already submitted to the Office of the Solicitor General.
“Kumabaga hindi lang free pass na made-deport at dun na lang niya harapin ‘yung consequences sa kung saan siya ide-deport, but she will have to face the consequences kapag mapatunayan ng mga korte natin na nilabag niya ang mga batas ng ating republika,” she added.
There is also the possibility of the OSG filing a quo warranto case against Guo, which could result in her removal from office.
Hontiveros added that Guo’s impersonation of a Filipino to run for mayor can be considered the gravest offense.
Whatever the outcome of the case, Guo must first face all these charges within the legal framework of the Philippines.