Manila, June 30 -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday welcomed the decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) declaring dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo as a Chinese national, saying it strengthens the deportation case filed against her.

In a statement, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the court's ruling voiding Guo's mayorship and officially declaring her ineligible for public office affirms the findings based on immigration records and biometrics identifying her as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.

"This is a major win for the national government. This case reveals how a foreign national was able to penetrate public office using false documents and a fabricated identity," he said.

"The Bureau has long initiated ...