MANILA, Philippines – Umapela ang kampo ni dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Leal Guo sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) na palawigin ang deadline para sa paghahain ng counter-affidavit sa misrepresentation complaint na inihain laban sa kanya ng Comelec.
Sa liham sa Comelec na natanggap ng Komisyon nitong Huwebes, Agosto 22, sinabi ng legal team ni Guo na ito ay “respectfully enters its appearance as counsel for respondent Alice Leal Guo” sa reklamo ng misrepresentation ni Guo bilang isang Filipino citizen sa kanyang pirmadong voting records.
“Henceforth, it is respectfully requested that all notices, orders, decisions and pleadings issued in the above-mentioned case be furnished to the undersigned,” sinabi ng legal team ni Guo mula sa David Buenaventura Ang and Jamilla Law Offices.
Sa communique na pirmado ni Atty. Lorelei Santos, hinihingi rin ang 10-day period na ibinigay kay Guo sa paghahain ng kanyang counter-affidavit na hanggang Agosto 27 na lamang, ay palawigin hanggang Setyembre 1.
“This case has only been recently endorsed to us by the Respondent. Further, the above-mentioned case requires comprehensive research and study as well as material time to have the complete facts and circumstances of the case and to ventilate the arguments of the Respondent effectively and properly,” ayon sa law firm.
“Additionally, the heavy pressure of work and equally important prior commitments on the part of the undersigned counsel makes it more difficult to file the required Counter-Affidavit within the prescribed period,” dagdag pa ng mga abogado ni Guo.
“Hence, Respondent is constraint to ask this Honorable Commission for an additional ten (10) days from 22 August 2024, or until 01 September 2024, within which to file the required Counter-Affidavit,” saad pa sa liham.
Iginiit ng law firm na ang kanilang inihaing apela ay “not for dilatory purposes but is demanded by necessity”.
Bilang tugon, sinabi ni Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia na, “The filing of the pleading confirms receipt by the respondent hence, jurisdiction over her person is already perfected.”
Ani Garcia, pag-uusapan at reresolbahin ng Law Department ng Comelec ang usapin Lalo pa’t ang misrepresentation complaint laban kay Guo ay nasa preliminary investigation stage pa rin. RNT/JGC
