THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) welcomed the ruling of the Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 111 declaring void the birth certificate of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, citing it as a landmark victory in the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to uphold the integrity of Philippine identity and civil registry documents.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado lauded the decision, saying it sets a strong precedent in the government’s intensified efforts to protect the country from identity fraud.
The decision was shared by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) during the budget hearing for the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.
“The RTC ruling is not just about one individual—it sends a resounding message to all foreign nationals who attempt to illegally acquire Philippine documents. We will not allow the sanctity of our nation’s civil registry and identity system to be compromised. This decision reinforces the President’s call to protect our sovereignty, our borders, and the integrity of our institutions,” said Viado.
He added that the BI will continue to strengthen its coordination with the Department of Justice, and other concerned agencies to ensure that foreign nationals posing as Pinoys to legitimize unlawful stay or activities in the Philippines are arrested and deported.
The BI further stressed that the RTC ruling will serve as a guiding precedent in future cases involving questionable acquisition of Philippine documents by foreign nationals.
The announcement follows reports that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed 70 criminal complaints against Guo and several relatives.
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