Panelo to Cardema: We have nothing to do with your tiff with Guanzon

Ronald Cardema became emotional during the press conference, saying that his wife and his father are in the hospital. Cardema slammed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon for “playing the victim,” saying that the members of the Duterte Youth party-list group were the real victims. (Photo by CONSUELO MARQUEZ / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — “We have nothing to do with what you’re doing,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said, referring to former National Youth Commission (NYC) chief Ronald Cardema and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. 

“Wala naman kaming pakialam sa ginagawa niya,” Panelo said in an interview on Sunday with Radyo Inquirer.

“We will never intrude into anything that does not concern the Palace. That’s between him and Commissioner Guanzon,” he added. 

In a press conference on Saturday, Cardema appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Supreme Court (SC) to probe Guanzon’s alleged extortion against him. 

Cardema, who was disqualified from being the nominee for Duterte Youth Party-list, claimed that Guanzon got an emissary to ask him for favors in exchange for the approval of the accreditation of the party-list group in time for the May 2019 polls.

“Humihingi kami ng tulong sa Pangulo. Kapag ganitong level na literally na durog na durog na kami, baka naman pwede kami humingi ng tulong sa Pangulo,” Cardema said. 

[We are asking the President for help. At this level when we are really crushed, maybe we can ask help from the President.[

READ: Cardema cries extortion; all for publicity, says poll exec

Panelo said Cardema should instead file a corruption charge against Guanzon instead of “dragging” the Palace into it. 

“Kung meron siyang corruption charge edi mag-demanda siya. He doesn’t have to go and use media about it. Mag-file siya ng kaso. Why does he have to drag the Palace to it?” Panelo said. 

“Kahit pa supporter ni Presidente, kapag mayroong bagay na ginawa yan na hindi maganda sa administration, pinapabayaan na lang namin sila,” the presidential spokesperson added. 

Meanwhile, Guanzon questioned the validity of Cardema’s claims. 

“Cardema held a presscon accusing me of demanding a favor in exchange for registration of his PL. wey???!  Didn’t I vote yes to the registration of his PL? how come no Judge related to me was appointed?” Guanzon said in a tweet. /je

READ: Guanzon to Cardema: ‘Study your case, get a good lawyer’