Guanzon seeks reconsideration of Ombudsman indictments

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon filed a motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman’s decision to file two graft charges against her for allegedly disclosing confidential information.

“I have filed my Motion for Reconsideration in the Ombudsman,” Guanzon said in a statement.

“All I ask from the Honorable Ombudsman is fairness,” Guanzon added.

The Ombudsman on Monday found probable cause to indict Guanzon for two counts of graft for allegedly disclosing confidential information involving the petitions to disqualify the candidacy of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. during the 2022 presidential election.

Guanzon denied that she revealed confidential information to two journalists, arguing that she did not disclose anything because the Comelec First Division had yet to decide on the pending disqualification case on Marcos when she gave the interview.

On Tuesday, Guanzon reiterated her argument and asked her supporters to pray for her.

“Do not worry, but pray for me. This is a fight against evil,” she said.

“Pray for me, my friends. I always pray that God will give me strength and wisdom to fight evil,” she added.

Guanzon had also said that the Ombudsman’s decision stemmed from a complaint filed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio over her support for then Vice President Leni Robredo, who ran against Marcos in the 2022 polls.

The Ombudsman, in its decision to indict Guanzon on criminal charges, said Guanzon unlawfully disclosed to journalists that, based on an internal agreement that included herself and Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, the case ponente, the resolution on disqualification cases would be released on January 17, 2022, and that Ferolino “was being unduly influenced to deliberately delay the release of the resolution on the disqualification cases.”

Nevertheless, the same Ombudsman decision cleared Guanzon of the complaints alleging she violated Section 7(c) of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees on Disclosure and/or Misuse of Confidential Information and Article 229 of the Revised Penal Code or Revelation of Secrets by an Officer for lack of probable cause.

“[The] complainant failed to present proof that respondent was motivated by any private interest or that she gave any private party unwarranted benefits, which prompted the disclosure of the information,” the Ombudsman said.

“There is also no proof that respondent intended to prejudice the public interest with such disclosure,” the Ombudsman added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News