Guanzon ordered to explain alleged sub judice violation over party-list substitution TRO

After former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon allegedly made several public appearances in which she discussed a Supreme Court temporary restraining order against a Comelec decision allowing the former commissioner to substitute as a party-list nominee, the SC ordered Guanzon to explain why she should not be held in contempt for violating the sub judice rule.

In the en banc resolution dated July 19, the High Court directed Guanzon to explain herself following reports she publicly discussed the Court’s decision temporarily stopping a Comelec resolution allowing Guanzon to substitute as the number one nominee of the P3PWD party-list.

The Supreme Court TRO stemmed from a Duterte Youth party-list petition questioning the Comelec's decision allowing the substitution.

“Acting on reports bringing to the Court’s attention several public appearances of respondent Ma. Rowena Amelia V. Guanzon, the Court resolved to require her to show cause, within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt hereof, why she should not be held in contempt for violation of the sub judice rule,” the Court said.

The High Court said Guanzon’s public appearances include interviews with the media outside the Office of the Ombudsman live-streamed on her Facebook page last June 28, and her interview with ANC last June 24.

“The Court further resolved to note the comment (on the petition) with motion to lift temporary restraining order filed by counsel for respondent P3PWD party-list in compliance with the order dated June 29, 2022,” it added.

Guanzon had already taken her oath as representative of the party-list group, which won a seat in the last election. This gave Guanzon a seat in the House of Representatives.

The Comelec previously approved in a "majority vote" the request of the party to withdraw the nomination of its original roster, namely Grace Yeneza, Ira Paulo Pozon, Marianne Heidi Cruz Fullon, Peter Jonas David, and Lily Grace Tiangco.  — DVM, GMA News