Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban who was dismissed, will be tried in Court No. 66 in the Tanluo District. This former official is currently detained in the Pasig City Jail on multiple charges, including election fraud and serious criminal activities.
The Philippine Election Commission (Comelec) pointed out that Alice Guo allegedly forged her candidacy qualifications in the 2022 elections, claiming she was eligible to run, but in fact, she is a Chinese citizen, which violates Article 74 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The commission emphasized that she made "significant false statements" in her candidacy declaration, which seriously affected the fairness of the elections.
In addition to election fraud, Alice Guo also faces other serious charges, including:
Severe human trafficking: Suspected of using illegal means for transnational human trafficking;
Corruption and tax evasion: Related to financial management issues during her public service;
Money laundering: A total of 87 money laundering charges;
Perjury and forgery of documents: Suspected of tampering with or forging information in official documents.
These cases are all related to her illegal operation of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) center in Bamban, believed to involve a complex criminal network.
Facing numerous charges, Alice Guo firmly denies all accusations, claiming she has been subjected to political persecution and false charges. However, the Philippine judicial department stated that there is sufficient evidence in the case, and a comprehensive investigation will be conducted in the upcoming trial.
This case has attracted widespread attention, not only because of the severity of the crimes involved but also because it highlights the loopholes in local politics and the legal system. The trial on December 5th may become a critical point in the development of this case.
