De Lima backs Guanzon in calling out Ferolino on Marcos case

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Monday threw her support to  Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon in her squabble with fellow Commissioner Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio over the allegedly delayed decision in the case of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In a statement, De Lima said Guanzon has the authority to ensure that her commissioners comply with the deadline set in Comelec Rules on the release of decisions.

Ferolino previously accused Guanzon of trying to influence her decision on the  disqualification case. Ferolino also said Guanzon is making her do an "undue rush."

But De Lima said Ferolino must be reminded that the "Rules of Procedure the COMELEC itself provide for a limited period in the disposition of cases."

“The period for the writing of the ponencia and its promulgation is not unlimited. In fact, it is specific. It is not the case as Ferolino would somewhat imply that commissioners have a wide discretion in the time of writing decisions,” she said.

Partisan tendencies

House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta claimed that Guanzon's pronouncements at the Manila Cathedral showed that she has "partisan tendencies."

The poll official earlier dared  other commissioners to step down from their posts as the reputation of the poll body has already been marred due to the issue on the Marcos case.

"Commissioner Guanzon's tantrums thrown today in front of the Manila Cathedral completely exposed her partisan tendencies even as she betrayed the trust and responsibility expected of public servants," Marcoleta said in a separate statement.

"In making such reckless public pronouncements, she may have unwittingly compromised the religious who gathered around her when she went berserk, unconscious of the strict wall that separates religion from politics. Literally, she showed where she is coming from," he added.

GMA News Online sought reaction from Guanzon regarding Marcoleta's criticisms against her but has yet to receive a response.

Last week, Guanzon bared she voted for disqualification of Marcos, a move she was forced to make public as she noticed an "unreasonable delay" in  the promulgation of the decision on the consolidated disqualification petitions in the First Division.

Guanzon then claimed the reason behind the delay were efforts to influence other commissioners, specifically the ponente of the resolution, who is Ferolino.—LDF, GMA News