COMELEC: Guo must reply to poll complaint before September 12

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted a final extension to former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo to file her counter-affidavit regarding the material misrepresentation complaint filed against her. Guo now has until September 12 to submit her response.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed the decision on Tuesday, explaining that the law department approved a 10-day extension. Initially, Guo’s camp had requested 15 days, but only 10 were granted. The first extension was set to expire on September 2.

In a one-page order issued on September 9, Comelec Law Department Director Maria Norina Casingal emphasized that no further extensions would be granted after the September 12 deadline.

The case stems from a complaint filed motu proprio by the Comelec regarding alleged false statements in Guo’s certificate of candidacy during the May 2022 elections. The law department had initially served a subpoena to Guo at the Bamban Municipal Hall, requiring her to personally submit her counter-affidavit. After receiving her request for an extension, the Comelec law department granted her more time to respond.

Garcia also noted that the decision aligns with due process, saying, “In any preliminary investigation, especially in criminal cases, we give the accused ample time to respond, as guaranteed by the Constitution.”

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