The Bureau of Immigration (BI) hailed the decision of the Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 111 declaring void the birth certificate of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, calling it a landmark victory in the government’s campaign to protect the integrity of Philippine identity records.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado lauded the ruling, saying it sets a strong precedent in the government’s intensified drive against identity fraud, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to uphold the sanctity of the country’s civil registry system.

“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,” Viado said.

“This decision reinforces the President’s call to protect our sovereignty, our borders, and the integrity of our institutions,” he added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shared the RTC’s ruling during the budget hearing for the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, noting the significance of the court’s decision in tightening oversight of civil registry records.

Viado said the BI would intensify coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies to ensure that foreign nationals who fraudulently obtain Philippine documents are swiftly arrested and deported.

“The RTC ruling will serve as a guiding precedent in future cases involving questionable acquisition of Philippine documents by foreign nationals,” the BI emphasized.

The court ruling follows reports that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed 70 criminal complaints against Guo and several of her relatives for alleged falsification and violations of immigration and nationality laws.