Alice Guo pleads not guilty to election offense

Metro Manila, Philippines – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo pleaded not guilty to an election violation case that accuses her of misrepresenting herself as a Filipino during her 2022 mayoral bid.

"Not guilty plea," said Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, in a text message to NewsWatch Plus following the arraignment at the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court on Thursday.

In October, the Commission on Elections filed a criminal complaint against Guo for violating the Omnibus Election Code.

The poll body alleged that Guo “willfully and unlawfully” made a material misrepresentation in her certificate of candidacy for Bamban mayor, declaring under oath that she was eligible for the position despite being a Chinese citizen and a resident of Fujian, China.

Guo’s fingerprints were found to match those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.

The former mayor is detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory on non-bailable charges of qualified human trafficking.

She faces multiple other cases, including graft, money laundering, and tax evasion, stemming from her alleged involvement in illegal offshore gaming operations—an issue extensively discussed in marathon congressional hearings.