Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo strongly denied insinuations made by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian that her real name is “Guo Huaping,” a Chinese national who arrived in the Philippines in 2003 under a Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV).
Gatchalian is convinced of Guo’s foreign identity, citing documents he obtained from the Board of Investments and the Bureau of Immigration. The papers, which he shared to members of the media, included an old photo that looked eerily like a younger version of the embattled mayor.
Based on the documents, ‘Guo Huaping’ entered the country on January 12, 2003 at age 13. Her date of birth was August 31, 1990 and she was accompanied by her mother, Lin Wenyi—the name of the woman that was mentioned earlier in the Senate hearings as the alleged biological mother of Guo.
Guo firmly rejected the accusations, stating she has substantial evidence to prove her Filipino citizenship. She said she is willing to present her case in a proper forum, emphasizing her birthright, cultural ties, and continuous residency in the Philippines as the foundation of her Filipino identity.
The mayor did not deny she was born to a Chinese father, but claimed her mother was Filipino. She also highlighted her active participation in local business and community affairs as a testament to her commitment to the country. Her legal team also underscored grounds for her citizenship.
“Mayor Guo welcomes any challenges to her nationality status, property ownership, or eligibility for office in a proper forum with due consideration of her rights and the best interests of the Bamban community,” said her lawyer Atty. Nicole Jamila in a statement sent to Senate media.
Addressing the allegations, Jamila pointed out that China does not recognize dual citizenship, further arguing that such claims are inconsistent with the fact that Guo requires a visa to visit China.
Guo found herself in the middle of a political firestorm after authorities raided an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in a property near the Bamban municipal hall last March.