Court voids Alice Guo’s mayoralty, declares her ‘undoubtedly Chinese’

The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34 has voided the mayoral records of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, ruling that she is “undoubtedly Chinese,” according to a decision issued on Friday, 27 July.

The court granted the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), effectively nullifying Guo’s term in office due to ineligibility.

Judge Liwliwa Hidalgo-Bucu of Manila RTC Branch 34 ruled that Alice Guo and Chinese national Guo Hua Ping are the same person, and therefore, Guo was never qualified to serve as mayor.

According to the investigation, Guo Hua Ping was nine years old when she arrived in the Philippines with her Chinese parents on an investor’s visa.

“Respondent Guo Hua Ping is undoubtedly a Chinese citizen, born to Chinese parents, namely Guo Jian Zhong and Lin Wenyi. She and her parents are holders of Chinese passports,” the court’s 67-page decision stated.

“The Certificate of Live Birth of Alice Leal Guo contains dubious entries, which are not supported by concrete and credible evidence,” the court added.

Guo was previously dismissed from her position following allegations that she was a Chinese-born national linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) syndicate — allegations she has repeatedly denied.

“Guo is nothing more than a usurper of the Office of the Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac,” the decision declared.

Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory for a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking. Additionally, the Department of Justice filed 26 counts of money laundering against her last month.