Comelec Chairman George Garcia delivers his message during the Philippine Disability Convention and Expo at the SMX convention hall at the Mall of Asia in Pasay city on July 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) 10-day period for former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo to file her counter-affidavit in the misrepresentation complaint against her will expire Wednesday and will not be extended, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Tuesday.

• Alice Guo is in Indonesia: immigration bureau

The Comelec Legal Department’s preliminary investigation regarding Guo’s alleged misdeclaration that she is a Filipino in her voting records will also continue amid reports that she had sneaked out of the country, the Elections Chief said.

“Tuluy-tuloy po ang gagawin namin at hindi po kami hihinto (sa paghimay sa reklamo). Ang importante, hindi pa naman masasabi na presumption of guilt when you flee,” Garcia said in a virtual interview.

(We will continue hearing the complaint. But one important point is that, one cannot say that there is a presumption of guilt when you flee.)  

Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David has yet to submit his client’s counter-affidavit as of this writing, Garcia said.

• Guo has left Philippines, says Hontiveros

“Matapos ang 10 days, tingnan natin kung may abugadong lulutang or siya mismo lulutang sa atin upang pabulaanan ang mismong akusasyon na misrepresentation. At this point po, premature. Tingnan natin,” Garcia said.

Asked if the Comelec will extend its 10-day deadline for Guo if the latter fails to submit her counter-affidavit, Garcia said: “Hindi naman pwedeng ang Comelec ay laging naghihintay na lang sa respondents.

Guo reportedly fled the country last month but her lawyer said the dismissed mayor is still in the country. 

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