SISON, Jedidiah Rosh K.

8260 BLOCK - G

Homeschooling to City governing

Alice Leal Guo is a Filipina (?) politician who has been the mayor of the municipality
of Bamban, Tarlac, since 2022. The first woman to serve as the town's mayor, Guo was
alleged by Sen. Risa Hontiveros to have links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO) following the 2023 and 2024 raids in Bamban. Despite the accusation,
Guo firmly denied that she has any connections to POGO.

More suspicions about Guo's identity and the circumstances surrounding her
election as mayor of Bamban town were raised by her responses during the initial Senate
investigation on May 7. Sen. Hontiveros’ questions were somewhat left unanswered due to
the vague response of Guo, “ Your honor, hindi ko po alam”. Guo also claims she was
homeschooled by a particular Teacher Rubilyn and lacks any school records. Seventeen
years after her birth, her birth certificate was finally registered. Divergent accounts abound
online regarding the year of her birth registration: some claim 2003, while others state 2013.

The election of Alice Lea Guo as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, while she was a Filipina
but manifestly a Chinese citizen, provoked significant doubts about the transparency of the
electoral system and the qualifications of elected politicians. The lack of formal education,
which is confirmed throughout her one-year homeschooling experience and the absence of
high school and college, suggests that she was not prepared to govern a municipality. In
addition, the shady method in which she acquired her birth certificate when she was 17
years old impeaches her potential and prominence as a public figure.

The role of a mayor is highly responsible, and it requires knowledge in governance,

law, economics, and social science. Guo may lack these due to inadequate education at the
high school and college levels. Bamban, Tarlac, is facing complex issues that demand
critical thinking, analytical ability, and general education, which an individual acquires at the
institutional level.

Furthermore, Guo's questionable citizenship status undermines the trust and

confidence that constituents should have in their elected leaders. The mayor serves as a
representative of the people, and citizenship is a fundamental requirement for holding public
office. Guo's alleged status as a Chinese citizen raises concerns about potential conflicts of
interest and loyalties that may compromise her ability to prioritize the interests of the Filipino
people.
 In light of these concerns, it is imperative that a natural-born Filipino with a proper
education and a demonstrated commitment to public service replace Guo as mayor of
Bamban, Tarlac. The people of the municipality deserve a leader who is qualified,
competent, and dedicated to serving their best interests. A transparent and fair electoral
process should ensure that only individuals who meet the constitutional and ethical
requirements for holding public office are elected to serve the community.