The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34 has ruled that former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo—also known as Guo Hua Ping—is a Chinese citizen and not a natural-born Filipino.
The ruling was issued in a 67-page decision dated June 27, in favor of the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
According to the court, Guo failed to prove her Filipino citizenship, thereby disqualifying her from holding any elected position in the country.
The court further declared her term as mayor from 2022 to 2025 as null and void.
“Having established that Guo Hua Ping is undoubtedly a Chinese citizen, the Court concludes that respondent is not only disqualified to hold the position of Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, but also from running for the said position in the first place,” the decision read.
The ruling added, “Guo is nothing more than a usurper of the Office of the Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac. Her election win and assumption of office cannot cure the fundamental flaw of lacking Philippine citizenship.”
Guo came under public scrutiny in 2023 for her alleged ties to an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that was raided in Bamban. The controversy led to a Senate investigation spearheaded by Senator Risa Hontiveros.
With the court ruling finalized, Guo is now officially barred from voting or running for any public office in the Philippines.