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.