Guanzon to name politician who allegedly intervened in Marcos DQ cases

Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Monday said she will divulge the name of the politician, who allegedly tried to intervene in the resolution of disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., within the day.

Speaking before reporters at the Manila Cathedral, Guanzon said she will inform Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas first to give him a chance to exert a “last-ditch effort” to resolve the problem among themselves.

“Yes… I think I will inform Chairman Abas out of courtesy later… I will give Chairman Abas the last ditch effort to resolve this problem,” Guanzon said when asked about publicizing the name of the politician who allegedly tried to influence other poll commissioners in the First Division.

“I am calling on Chairman Abas to resolve, help us resolve this problem because it is already affecting the integrity of the entire Commission on Elections,” she added.

Apart from Abas, the poll official said she might divulge the name of the politician to Senate President Vicente Sotto III as the latter asked about this through a text message.

“Kaya ang sinasasabi ko Commissioner Ferolino, sagutin na natin ang taumbayan kung hindi ka nasuhulan ilabas mo na ang resolusyon bago ako magretire para klaro tayong dalawa. Malinis ang pag-alis ko sa Comelec at malinis din ang pangalan mo,” she said, referring to Comelec commissioner Aimee Ferolino.

(That's why I am telling Commissioner Ferolino, let us answer the public. If you were not bribed, release the resolution before I retire so we can clear our names. I will exit the Comelec gracefully and you will have the chance to clean your name.)

Guanzon, Abas, and Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho Jr. are set to retire on February 2.

Last week, Guanzon disclosed that she voted for the disqualification of Marcos, a move that she was forced to do as she noticed an “unreasonable delay” in the promulgation of the decision on the consolidated disqualification petitions in the First Division.

She claimed the reason behind the delay were efforts to influence other commissioners, particularly the ponente of the resolution, whom she named as Ferolino.

Guanzon is the presiding officer and the most senior poll commissioner in the Comelec First Division.

Ferolino, however, accused Guanzon of trying to influence her decision on the said cases.

Guanzon then dared other commissioners to step down from their posts as the reputation of the poll body has already been marred.

“Maniniwala ba kayo sa decision namin d’yan pagkatapos nito? Sirang-sira na nga kami. Kaya nga sinasabi ko na nga na sabay na tayo magresign e. Halika na. Sawang sawa na ako,” she said.

(Are you going to believe all other decisions from Comelec after this issue? We are already damaged. That is why I tell them, let us all resign)

“Sa aming mga kamay nakasalalay ang demokrasya ng Pilipinas. Kung ganito lang din na puwede palang pakialaman ng mga politiko at mayayaman na tao ang aming desisyon, bakit pa may Commission on Elections?” she asked.

(The democracy of the Philippines is in our hands. If politicians and the rich could intervene in our decisions, why do we still have the Commission on Elections?)

Guanzon also suggested a screening of incoming Comelec commissioners from the Judicial and Bar Council.

“Dapat siguro sa susunod ang lahat ng aplikante sa Comelec ay dadaan na sa JBC para sila ay masuri ang kanilang kakayahan. Kung ang kabagalan ni Commissioner Ferolino sa pagsusulat ay dahil mabagal po siya magsulat, e may problema po siya sa kakayahan niya,” she said.

(The next applicants for the Comelec should undergo a screening with the JBC so they could check their competence. If Commissioner Ferolino cannot write a resolution immediately, then there is a problem with her competence.)

“Hindi siya dapat nag-commissioner kung hindi niya kayang sumulat ng desisyon sa loob ng pito o kinse [days],” she added.

(She must not sit as a commissioner if she cannot write a decision within seven to 15 days.)—AOL, GMA News