It is entirely possible that the polls will have determined new officials before the case which may dislodge Alice Guo as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac could be concluded.
Former Justice Secretary Atty. Alberto Agra told DZRH that Guo's case will go through a long series of hearings, either by the Regional Trial Court or Office of the Ombudsman.
"Only the courts can remove an elective official. So ang lalawigan, halimbawa, sa usapin ng municipal mayor, hanggang suspension lang 'yan eh. Ang puwede lang mag-remove ay Sandiganbayan, or, sa usapin ng municipal mayor, ang Regional Trial Court," Agra said.
("Only the courts can remove an elective official. So for the province, for example, on the matter of a municipal mayor, they can only do as much as suspend them. Only the Sandiganbayan, or, when it comes to municipal mayors, the Regional Trial Court, can remove them.")
"Kung halimbawa isampa 'yan ngayong araw na 'to sa Regional Trial Court, may trial pa 'yan, puwede pang umangat sa Court of Appeals, puwede pang umangat sa Supreme Court. Bago pa magkaroon ng final decision, baka tapos na ang eleksyon," he added.
("If let's say the case is filed today at the Regional Trial Court--there will be a trial, which can be taken up to the Court of Appeals, and up to the Supreme Court. Before a final decision would be made, the elections may be over.")
On June 15, it was reported that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) intended to file non-bailable cases against Guo for collusion with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). Its spokesperson said the public may find the number of cases staggering. The commission and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have already filed a human trafficking complaint.
Recently, the Commission on Elections has announced it will also file an electoral offense case against her should it be determined that she had misrepresented herself when running for office in 2022.
