Comelec serves subpoena to Guo over misrepresentation case

Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday served a subpoena to suspend Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in connection with the case filed against her for alleged material misrepresentation when she ran in the May 2022 polls.

In an interview, Comelec-Central Luzon assistant regional director Elmo Duque said Alice Manaloto, a secretary of the Office of the Mayor at the Bamban Municipal Hall, received the subpoena for Guo.

The personnel of the Comelec Law Department was accompanied by the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) when they served the subpoena.

Duque said they initially went to Guo’s address that was declared in her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in Brgy. Virgen delos Remedios in Bamban town.

“Wala siya doon, May tumanggap na caretaker of unknown identity (ng subpoena) to satisfy the process na mainform siya (She was not there. A caretaker of unknown identity received the subpoena to satisfy the process of informing her) of the existence of the preliminary investigation to determine the probable cause against her,” he said.

Guo has 10 days from Wednesday to file her counter affidavit.

The Comelec said the case would be submitted for resolution once Guo fails to file her counter affidavit within the prescribed period.

“You are hereby warned that failure on your part to comply with the subpoena shall be considered as waiver of your right to present your defense, and the case shall be considered submitted for resolution based on the evidence on record,” it said.

The subpoena was served in connection with the decision of Comelec en banc to file a complaint based on the recommendation of the fact-finding committee of the poll body, which found “sufficient factual bases” to charge Guo with material misrepresentation.