Manila: Senators on Wednesday urged for vigilance among voters to prevent candidates like dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo from being elected into any public office this coming 2025 mid-term elections.
In a press briefing, Senate President Francis Escudero said the likes of Guo getting elected is a possibility considering that the mandate of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) in receiving certificates of candidacy is ministerial in nature.
“May posibilidad pa rin yun. Trabaho nating lahat na maging mapagmatyag at tiyakin na hindi sana mangyari yun. At kung mangyayari man, agad mahuhuli (It is still possible. It is our job to be vigilant and ensure that it will not happen. And if it does happen, it can be immediately flagged),” Escudero said.
However, he pointed out that a candidate can be disqualified if it is proven that he/she is not a citizen of the Philippines, did not qualify for the age requirement of the position being sought, not a resident, a registered voter, or not able to read and write.
”
Lima ang qualifications. Kung hindi mo taglay ang isa sa lima, pwede kang ipa-disqualify bilang isang kandidato (There are five qualifications. If you don’t qualify even in just one out of the five, you can be disqualified as a candidate),” Escudero explained.
If the candidate was able to win and be proclaimed by the Comelec like Guo, he said a quo warranto can be issued if it is proven later on that he/she is not qualified or have violated the law.
“Sa tulong ng ating mga kababayan na dapat maghain ng karampatang impormasyon kaugnay sa kawalan o kakulangan sa requirements ng sinumang kakandidato (Through the help of our countrymen who will file the necessary information related to lack or absence of requirements of any candidate),” Escudero said.
For Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, everyone should be involved in making sure that candidates are qualified.
“Thats why the Comelec should be vigilant as well. While their function is ministerial to accept COCs, the general public and the intelligence
community should assist,” Tolentino said in a Viber message to reporters.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III sets aside the fears that a foreigner, like what Guo is being accused of, will be elected into public office.
“There are remedies too after the fact of election. As seen in the Alice Guo case. It is not worth it, as these unqualified persons stand to lose everything. Hence let’s not be too worried about it,” Pimentel said.
“There is a need to be vigilant, but no need to panic,” he added.
The ongoing filing of COCs is seen by Senator Grace Poe as ‘an opportunity to stop illegal and undesirable individuals from entering our electoral system.”
“At the onset, Comelec should be able to screen stringently the aspirant’s documents and qualifications, such as the most basic requirement whether he or she is a Filipino,” Poe said in a separate statement.
“Concerned agencies should be vigilant and see to it that we don’t have another Alice Guo in our midst,” she added.
Comelec spokespe
rson John Rex Laudiangco earlier admitted that they cannot reject or pre-evaluate COCs being filed, even if it is Guo who has multiple pending cases but without final decisions yet.
But if a final decision will be made even in just one of Guo’s cases, Laudiangco said a petition to cancel the COC or disqualification can be filed against her.
BJMP: Guo’s COC filing up to Comelec
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), meanwhile, said it would adhere to the poll body’s rules on Guo’s case.
In a press briefing, BJMP spokesperson Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said they are in coordination with the Comelec to determine their course of action should Guo opt to seek an elective post in the May 2025 polls.
‘The guidance from the Comelec is if she allowed to file and a court order has allowed her to file, we will follow,” Bustinera explained.
Bustinera said the BJMP is limited to providing security to Guo and ensuring her safety.
‘We will escort her if the court allows her to personally file her COC. B
ut if she asks a representative to do it, it would be much better,” he added.
Guo is presently detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory with 43 other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). (with Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
Source: Philippines News Agency
