Guanzon dares Cardema to name 'bagwoman'

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Wednesday dared  former youth commissioner Ronald Cardema to reveal the identity of the congresswoman who he claims served as her "bagwoman."

Cardema had accused Guanzon of demanding cash and favors through a certain congresswoman, but has refused to identify her. He, however, claimed to have received text messages from the lawmaker.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo diyan, yung mga text-text mo diyan? Pangalanan mo 'yung sinasabi mong congresswoman diyan, para kayong dalawa mag-abalahan. Kayo pala diyan nag-uusap, ba't mo ko dinadamay?" Guanzon said during an interview on Unang Balita.

When asked if she was aware of the congresswoman Cardema was referring to, Guanzon said: "Hindi nga niya nine-name eh. You have to name her. How do I know? Dami-daming congresswoman diyan."

"Pangalanan na niya. Ang dami niyang chu-chu. Masyado siyang maintriga. Pangalanan niya na para sila, magkasuhan din silang dalawa. Anong pakialam ko diyan sa pinagsasabi niya?" she added.

Cardema said he would pursue criminal charges against Guanzon for alleged extortion and warned of a possible impeachment complaint against her.

In a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Cardema said he shelled out P2 million to the congresswoman to ensure that Guanzon will vote in favor of the accreditation of Duterte Youth party-list.

"Alam niyo pag sinasakal ka, sinasakyan ko na lang. Yes, yes [pumayag ako], pero alam 'kong di ko sila (emissary and Guanzon) kailangan. May pinakausap ako na ibang tao na magbibigay rito kay congresswoman," he said when asked if he gave in to the supposed emissary's demand of P2 million.

Guanzon has repeatedly denied Cardema's allegations of extorting money from him in exchange for the Comelec allowing him to take his seat as a member of the House of Representatives representing Duterte Youth party-list.

Cardema has also accused Guanzon of lobbying for an appointment either as a Regional Trial Court judge or a Department of Public Works and Highways director in Iloilo.

Tha Comelec official and longtime lawyer did not mince words in telling the 34-year-old Cardema that he should know better than to make false claims.

"Ito lang ang masasabi ko kay Ronald Cardema: Hindi ka pa pinanganak, abogado na 'ko," said Guanzon.

"Huwag mo 'kong tatakut-takutin ng impeachment na 'yan because you admit, inaamin mo diyan, that you attempted to bribe me," she added. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News