By Junex Doronio
MANILA – While the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is obligated to accept the certificate of candidacy (COC) of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, Comelec Chairman George Garcia stated on Monday (07 Oct 2024) that they may still disqualify her from running for re-election.
Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, previously mentioned that the detained mayor, facing charges related to illegal gambling hubs, would be filing her COC this week.
“Pagkatapos mai-file [ang kaniyang COC] saka namin pwedeng i-cancel, pwede siyang i-disqualify base sa mga umiiral na mga patakaran o ‘yung mga kinakaharap niyang problema,” Garcia said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
It’s worth noting that in August, the Ombudsman dismissed Guo for grave misconduct and barred her from returning to government service.
“Mayroon kaming inilabas na resolution dalawang linggo na ang nakakalipas. Sinabi namin sa resolution na ‘yan na ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na dinismiss, tinanggal sa pwesto, at may nakalagay na perpetually disqualified to hold public office, ay amin kaagad tatanggalin kapag nag-file ng certificates of candidacy,” Garcia emphasized.
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