Voters told: Stop 'Alice Guos' in polls

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has urged voters to "practice discernment" and exercise "perpetual vigilance" in choosing candidates for the 2025 midterm elections or suffer the consequences of more "Alice Guos' in the country's electoral system. "To the Filipino voters, I encourage you to exercise your right with discernment. Your role is crucial in this process. By remaining vigilant, we ensure a future where our leaders uphold the values of integrity, competence, and a commitment to the well-being of our nation," Romualdez said. He cited the case of the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor, who is an alleged Chinese national, as a "constant and significant reminder" to everyone to "practice increased vigilance" or face similar embarrassing consequences. Guo is reportedly planning to run in the 2025 midterm elections for Bamban mayoral race, despite evidence pointing her as an alleged Chinese agent. Romualdez has called on the Commission on Elections that while the processing of certificates of candidacy is "ministerial" in nature, they should ensure to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. "We must use available legal measures, such as disqualification petitions, to address any issues that arise. The law provides transparent processes for challenging unqualified candidates, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these mechanisms are used appropriately to maintain public trust," Romualdez said. He also said that every applicant's qualifications must be rigorously reviewed to ensure that they meet the necessary legal requirements. "Please get to know the candidates, verify their qualifications, and proactively question any doubts that may arise. We all share the responsibility of safeguarding our democracy, and by working together, we can prevent any recurrence of past issues," Romualdez added.