Alice Guo to run for mayor in 2025 polls – legal counsel
MANILA, Philippines — Alice Guo, whose real name was revealed to be Guo Hua Ping during a congressional probe into Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), will seek reelection as Bamban town mayor next year.
Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, told reporters in a chance interview at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Friday that his client will formalize his mayoral bid on October 8, the last day of certificate of candidacy (COC) filing for 2025 polls aspirants.
“Definitely, she will be running for Mayor,” David said, adding that Guo’s candidacy would allow the public to determine if she is still worthy of a government position.
READ: Alice Guo loses cool after House shows docu on Chinese spy
Article continues after this advertisement“Mas maganda kung tumakbo siya para malaman natin kung mahal pa ba siya ng tao, kasi right now maraming negative publicity, marami rin ang nag-sympathize. Marami naman siyang nagawang mabuti sa Bamban; marami pa ring nagmamahal sa kanya. So, ‘yon ang pakiusap ko,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement(It would be better if she runs so we can find out if the people still love her, because right now there’s a lot of negative publicity, but many also sympathize. She’s done many good things in Bamban, too; she’s still loved by many. So, that’s my appeal.)
“Bigyan siya ng pagkakataon para malaman naman ng bayan kung siya ba ay karapat-dapat manalo o hindi,” he added.
(Give her the chance so the people can decide if she deserves to win or not.)
Asked if Guo is confident of winning the mayoral race again, David responded in the affirmative.
“Oo, kasi maraming nagpupush sa kaniya eh (Yes, because there are so many rooting for her),” he said.
David, however, said Guo has not met any of her constituents in Bamban town in Tarlac province since she was placed under police custody. Nevertheless, he claimed, Guo received plenty of “sympathies” from them.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal previously told INQUIRER.net that Guo may still file her COC for reelection if no conviction or perpetual disqualification to hold public office is handed against her.
The Office of the Ombudsman has already dismissed Guo as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province as she faces complaints for graft, qualified human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion.
A Senate panel is likewise investigating Guo over her alleged links to Pogo.
Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory, following her arrest in Jakarta, Indonesia where she fled last July amid the ongoing investigations and standing arrest order after she was held in contempt by senators.