The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday clarified that Bamban Mayor Alice Guo officially won the mayoralty race in the Tarlac municipality and nobody had filed any election protest against her.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia issued the statement following questions from several lawmakers regarding the real identity and citizenship of Guo, who was being linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
In an interview, the poll body chair explained the Comelec approved her application as a registered voter in April 2021, more than a year ahead of the May 2022 polls.
“Our law says if you just submit a government-issued ID, you can be a registered voter unless somebody questions or opposes your application. Nobody questioned or opposed her application so she became a registered voter,” Garcia said.
“If it is proven that she is not really a Filipino citizen, then she can be liable or be charged with perjury,” he added.
Garcia further said Comelec’s role is “only ministerial,” explaining as long as all blanks in the Certificate of Candidacy are accomplished under oath, it will be accepted.