House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Alice Guo (Speaker’s office, Facebook)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the example of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) personality Alice Guo should serve as a "significant reminder" to 67 million Filipino voters to “practice discernment” in the upcoming May 2022 mid-term elections. 

“To the Filipino voters, I encourage you to exercise your right with discernment. Your role is crucial in this process. By remaining vigilant, we ensure a future where our leaders uphold the values of integrity, competence, and a commitment to the well-being of our nation,” Romualdez said in a statement Friday, Oct. 4.

“The recent disqualification of Guo is a significant reminder of our challenges in ensuring that only qualified individuals are elected to public office. The Comelec (Commission on Elections) is crucial in accepting candidacy applications,” Romualdez said.  

Guo--an alleged Chinese spy linked to illegal POGO activity--managed to be elected as mayor in Bamban town, Tarlac. She was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman from her post amid the controversy. 

Guo--whom the Speaker referred to as a "certified Chinese national"--had been the central figure in congressional investigations, including the one being conducted by the House quad-committee (quad-comm). 

Her supposed real name is Guo Hua Ping.

Romualdez told Comelec under the leadership of Chairman George Garcia that while the processing of COCs may be “ministerial” in nature, it is still important that they make sure to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. 

“We must use available legal measures, such as disqualification petitions, to address any issues that arise,” the Leyte 1st district representative emphasized. 

“The law provides transparent processes for challenging unqualified candidates, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these mechanisms are used appropriately to maintain public trust,”  Romualdez, president of the dominant LLakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, reiterated.

“Each applicant’s qualifications must be rigorously reviewed to ensure they meet the necessary legal requirements. The integrity of our electoral system relies heavily on the credibility of those who seek to hold public office,” the lawyer-legislator declared.

“Please get to know the candidates, verify their qualifications, and proactively question any doubts that may arise. We all share the responsibility of safeguarding our democracy, and by working together, we can prevent any recurrence of past issues,”  Romualdez added.

“Together, let us build a government that truly reflects the aspirations of the Filipino people - one that is transparent, accountable, and dedicated to genuine public service,” he said.