Philippines: Mayor accused of being China ‘asset’ raises alarm

Little is known about her background, which is unusual in rural Philippines, where local officials are often affiliated with political dynasties. She is only on her first term as an elected official.

The Commission on Elections said she registered to vote in Bamban in 2021, or one year before she ran and won as mayor.

Her family name, Guo, is also not among the common family names of Filipinos with Chinese lineage. Though colonised by Spain, the Philippines and China have deep cultural ties because of centuries of trade. In fact, the country is home to the world’s oldest Chinatown.

Under questioning by senators, Ms Guo admitted that her birth certificate was registered with local authorities only when she turned 17. She said this was because she was born in a house, not a in a hospital or clinic. She could not give further details.

She said she was home schooled exclusively inside the family compound where they also raised pigs. However, she could not remember the name of her home school organisation and named only one of her teachers.

She said her father is Filipino, but in business records, her father was identified as a Chinese citizen.

“Many are asking, who is Alice Guo?” she said in a 2022 campaign speech, according to Manila broadcaster GMA News.

“I am Alice Guo from Bamban. My mother is Filipina, my father is Chinese,” she said in Tagalog.