The criminal case filed against embattled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for misrepresentation will continue despite the recent Ombudsman ruling that essentially unseated her from office, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the misrepresentation complaint against Guo is different from the case lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman, which already dismissed the Bamban mayor from government service after she was found guilty of grave misconduct.
“We will proceed with investigation into the possible criminal liability of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for violating election laws,” Garcia said.
The poll chief said the Ombudsman’s decision won’t affect the material misrepresentation case against Guo, saying that the grave misconduct case against the Bamban municipal mayor is administrative in nature while the Comelec is dealing with a criminal complaint.
“As far as the Comelec is concerned, our case is separate and independent. Even if she was removed from her position (as mayor), the (misrepresentation) case will continue to be tried,” he said.
Garcia said Guo could face one to six years imprisonment if found guilty and cannot run for any government position moving forward.
