The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) asserted on Wednesday, Oct. 2, that it will adhere with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) regulations in case dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo decides to run for public office in the May 2025 midterm elections.
“Ongoing ang coordination namin sa Comelec, basta ang guidance ay ang Comelec, basta pag papayagan ng Comelec ang pag-file nya, at may court para sya ay mag-file, susunod lang kami (Our (BJMP) coordination with the COMELEC is ongoing, our guidance is with the Comelec, if the Comelec allows the her (Guo) filing, and there is a court where she should file, we will just follow),’’ Bustinera said.
Earlier, the poll body explained that it cannot bar Guo from running from public office in the coming national elections since the cases filed against her have not been resolved.
In the meantime, Bustinera said all the BJMP can do is to provide Guo escorts and ensure her safety if she is allowed by the Comelec and the court to file her certificate of candidacy (COC).
Guo is presently detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dorm with 43 other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Based on previous experiences, Bustinera disclosed that the Comelec allowed the PDLs to cast their votes during local and national elections.
In the 2023 barangay elections there were dozens of detainees who ran with six of them even getting kagawad (barangay councilman) seats.
However, Bustinera emphasized that PDLs given the green light to run for public office cannot campaign like ordinary election bets with their relatives doing the campaigning for them.
Inside their cells, Bustinera noted that the concerned PDLs cannot even use social media for any campaign purposes in the local and national polls.
Under strict orders of BJMP chief Director Ruel Rivera, Bustinera reminded the bureau’s regional director, wardens and other jail personnel to remain “politically neutral.’’