Guanzon says a senator influenced delay of Marcos cases resolution at Comelec
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Guanzon says a senator influenced delay of Marcos cases resolution at Comelec
Gillan Ropero,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 01, 2022 09:46 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 01, 2022 02:26 PM PHT

MANILA (UPDATE) - A senator influenced Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Aimee Ferolino to delay the release of the resolution of the disqualification petitions against presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Tuesday.
MANILA (UPDATE) - A senator influenced Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Aimee Ferolino to delay the release of the resolution of the disqualification petitions against presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Tuesday.
Guanzon, set to retire Wednesday, earlier said she voted in favor of the petitions.
Guanzon, set to retire Wednesday, earlier said she voted in favor of the petitions.
"Anybody from any law school can write a resolution in 15 days. I don't know why she cannot, because she's the one who is under influence and she’s acting in conspiracy to make sure that they defeat my vote," she told ANC's Headstart.
"Anybody from any law school can write a resolution in 15 days. I don't know why she cannot, because she's the one who is under influence and she’s acting in conspiracy to make sure that they defeat my vote," she told ANC's Headstart.
Guanzon and Ferolino, along with Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, make up the Comelec's First Division, which is handling the consolidated disqualification petitions against Marcos Jr. in the May elections.
Guanzon and Ferolino, along with Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, make up the Comelec's First Division, which is handling the consolidated disqualification petitions against Marcos Jr. in the May elections.
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Guanzon is the division's presiding commissioner, while Ferolino is the ponente or assigned writer of the resolution on the consolidated petitions that were all based on the 1995 tax evasion conviction of Marcos, Jr.
Guanzon is the division's presiding commissioner, while Ferolino is the ponente or assigned writer of the resolution on the consolidated petitions that were all based on the 1995 tax evasion conviction of Marcos, Jr.
Ferolino had said that the three consolidated petitions were raffled to her office only on Jan. 10, and that they received the evidence and other records related to the cases only on Jan. 14.
Ferolino had said that the three consolidated petitions were raffled to her office only on Jan. 10, and that they received the evidence and other records related to the cases only on Jan. 14.
She denies there is a delay in the release of her ponencia on the Marcos cases, saying she is "judiciously scrutinizing all the attached evidence."
She denies there is a delay in the release of her ponencia on the Marcos cases, saying she is "judiciously scrutinizing all the attached evidence."
"Commissioner Ferolino, lacking in experience in practice of law, was nominated and strongly supported by at least 1 senator. That's already on record, that she will not act like this if it's not (for) that senator who will order her because they're very close since they were both in Davao... I said I will release my separate opinion and I will name the senator, and I named him (senator) to a person in authority," said Guanzon.
"Commissioner Ferolino, lacking in experience in practice of law, was nominated and strongly supported by at least 1 senator. That's already on record, that she will not act like this if it's not (for) that senator who will order her because they're very close since they were both in Davao... I said I will release my separate opinion and I will name the senator, and I named him (senator) to a person in authority," said Guanzon.
Guanzon said she would cooperate if she is subpoenaed by the Senate President.
Guanzon said she would cooperate if she is subpoenaed by the Senate President.
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"How can I refuse the Senate of the Philippines?... I will go if I am subpoenaed by the Senate President," she said.
"How can I refuse the Senate of the Philippines?... I will go if I am subpoenaed by the Senate President," she said.
"I will tell them when I get there. The important thing is I am doing this in the nation’s interest. On February 3, I will be defenseless. I will be a private citizen... If the senators feel they are alluded to, they should tell the Senate President to subpoena me."
"I will tell them when I get there. The important thing is I am doing this in the nation’s interest. On February 3, I will be defenseless. I will be a private citizen... If the senators feel they are alluded to, they should tell the Senate President to subpoena me."
Guanzon appealed to the senator not to meddle in the Comelec's handling of the disqualification petitions since the matter may still be elevated to the Supreme Court.
Guanzon appealed to the senator not to meddle in the Comelec's handling of the disqualification petitions since the matter may still be elevated to the Supreme Court.
She also agreed that it is in the interest of the Marcos camp that the resolution of the petitions be released now.
She also agreed that it is in the interest of the Marcos camp that the resolution of the petitions be released now.
Guanzon said she and Ferolino should resign together.
Guanzon said she and Ferolino should resign together.
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MOVEMENT IN COMELEC BY FEB. 3
Saying that Casquejo is probably being suspected of also voting in favor of the disqualification petitions, Guanzon said, "That's why I have to come out in the public and inform the people of what's happening inside Comelec, because there’s interference and they're using Ferolino as their soldier."
Saying that Casquejo is probably being suspected of also voting in favor of the disqualification petitions, Guanzon said, "That's why I have to come out in the public and inform the people of what's happening inside Comelec, because there’s interference and they're using Ferolino as their soldier."
She disclosed that Casquejo is set to become presiding commissioner of the Second Division on Thursday after her retirement, replacing Commissioner Socorro Inting.
She disclosed that Casquejo is set to become presiding commissioner of the Second Division on Thursday after her retirement, replacing Commissioner Socorro Inting.
As Comelec chair Sheriff Abas' term is also ending Wednesday, Inting will serve as acting chair of the poll body, based on protocol, added Guanzon. She will also become presiding commissioner of the First Division.
As Comelec chair Sheriff Abas' term is also ending Wednesday, Inting will serve as acting chair of the poll body, based on protocol, added Guanzon. She will also become presiding commissioner of the First Division.
Inting penned a ruling of the Second Division last Jan. 17 that junked a petition for the Comelec to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Marcos, Jr. over his tax evasion conviction. Division members Commissioners Rey Bulay and Antonio Kho, Jr. concurred in the decision.
Inting penned a ruling of the Second Division last Jan. 17 that junked a petition for the Comelec to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Marcos, Jr. over his tax evasion conviction. Division members Commissioners Rey Bulay and Antonio Kho, Jr. concurred in the decision.
"Ferolino's intention is to make sure Comm Casquejo and I cannot vote. (Casquejo) is moving to (the) 2nd (Division) as (Presiding Commissioner) on Feb. 3. If this is not intentional, I don't know what is," Guanzon said on Twitter.
"Ferolino's intention is to make sure Comm Casquejo and I cannot vote. (Casquejo) is moving to (the) 2nd (Division) as (Presiding Commissioner) on Feb. 3. If this is not intentional, I don't know what is," Guanzon said on Twitter.
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So by not releasing her ponencia Reso , Ferrolino is preventing me and Commissioner Casquejo from voting on thr Marcos SQ case. @inquirerdotnet @cnnphilippines @PhilstarNews @sotto_tito @manilabulletin @TheManilaTimes
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) February 1, 2022
So by not releasing her ponencia Reso , Ferrolino is preventing me and Commissioner Casquejo from voting on thr Marcos SQ case. @inquirerdotnet @cnnphilippines @PhilstarNews @sotto_tito @manilabulletin @TheManilaTimes
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) February 1, 2022
As regards Inting serving as acting Comelec chair, Guanzon explained, "That is the protocol. In fact, I wanted to nominate her already. But since there was no vacancy yet, we have to wait until February 3. And that's when the remaining commissioners should make a motion and formalize by resolution the designation of Comm. Socorro Inting, former Justice of the Court of Appeals, as acting chair until the President appoints his new chair."
As regards Inting serving as acting Comelec chair, Guanzon explained, "That is the protocol. In fact, I wanted to nominate her already. But since there was no vacancy yet, we have to wait until February 3. And that's when the remaining commissioners should make a motion and formalize by resolution the designation of Comm. Socorro Inting, former Justice of the Court of Appeals, as acting chair until the President appoints his new chair."
Aside from Guanzon and Abas, Kho's term also ends Wednesday. After that, the commission will only have the following as members while awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte's new appointments: Inting, Casquejo, Ferolino and Bulay.
Aside from Guanzon and Abas, Kho's term also ends Wednesday. After that, the commission will only have the following as members while awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte's new appointments: Inting, Casquejo, Ferolino and Bulay.
POSSIBLE CASES?
When asked if she fears Ferolino would file a libel suit against her over her remarks, Guanzon said, "You can sue me anywhere in the country, I have money to go around the country and campaign against your candidate."
When asked if she fears Ferolino would file a libel suit against her over her remarks, Guanzon said, "You can sue me anywhere in the country, I have money to go around the country and campaign against your candidate."
"She should be afraid of me because I might file an impeachment complaint against her for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," she added.
"She should be afraid of me because I might file an impeachment complaint against her for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," she added.
Guanzon said she will go around the country to explain her vote on the petitions. "By Friday, I have billboards na in Metro Manila. Ginalit niyo ako eh (You angered me)."
Guanzon said she will go around the country to explain her vote on the petitions. "By Friday, I have billboards na in Metro Manila. Ginalit niyo ako eh (You angered me)."
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"I will say, 'This is my vote'... I will have billboards in Metro Manila starting this weekend that says, 'Labanan ang mali, labanan ang masasama (fight what is wrong, fight what is bad)."
"I will say, 'This is my vote'... I will have billboards in Metro Manila starting this weekend that says, 'Labanan ang mali, labanan ang masasama (fight what is wrong, fight what is bad)."
She reiterated her position that the conviction of Marcos Jr. over tax-related issues involves moral turpitude.
She reiterated her position that the conviction of Marcos Jr. over tax-related issues involves moral turpitude.
Asked about her legacy at the Comelec, Guanzon said she "raised the bar for excellence," and institutionalized gender development programs in the poll body and overseas voting reforms.
Asked about her legacy at the Comelec, Guanzon said she "raised the bar for excellence," and institutionalized gender development programs in the poll body and overseas voting reforms.
"I'm retiring with zero backlog... Right now I have 53 resolutions I signed over the weekend and will submit on Wednesday, she said.
"I'm retiring with zero backlog... Right now I have 53 resolutions I signed over the weekend and will submit on Wednesday, she said.
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