THE head of the First Division of the Commission on Elections yesterday said she has voted in favor of petitions seeking to disqualify former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos from the presidential race.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who earlier in the day hinted of an outside interference in the consolidated cases against Marcos, made public her vote ahead of the division’s ruling.
The division had been set to come out with a decision on January 17 but it was delayed as the ponente was exposed to a COVID-positive staff member. Also members of the First Division are Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Aimee Ferolino.
The delay in the release of the decision led to allegations of bribery, among others, directed at poll officials.
Guanzon bared her vote in a TV interview.
“My vote is to DQ Marcos Jr. because I really believe there is (crime involving) moral turpitude based on evidence, on the law,” she told GMA, referring to the case against Marcos for failure to pay income taxes.
She expressed belief her vote against Marcos is delaying the promulgation of the division’s decision.
“To knock out my vote, they think they can invalidate it by releasing the resolution of the ponencia after I retire, which cannot happen because I already submitted my separate opinion… That should already be on the record that I voted already,” she said.
Guanzon is set to retire on February 2.
Earlier yesterday, Guanzon hinted of the suspected interference, in a series of post on social media.
“To whom it may concern: Do not influence the commissioners. And do not try to buy me, threaten me, or seduce me,” she said.
“Whoever is interfering in the cases should know that they are not helping anyone,” she added. “It will be a mess.”
Guanzon said no one would benefit anyone if the promulgation of the decision remains hanging, considering the proximity of the May polls.
“It is in everyone’s interest that the DQ (disqualification) cases of Marcos Jr reach the Supreme Court as soon as possible. We have 3 months and 2 weeks before Election Day,” said Guanzon.
She also said she would release her decision on the case before she retires, regardless of the date of release of the main decision.
