Guanzon scoffs at Cardema’s claims: He is a ‘liar, purveyor of fake news’

MANILA, Philippines — “If you were duped, why are you blaming me?”

This was the succinct retort of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon to Ronald Cardema, who earlier cried “extortion” against the poll body official after failing to secure approval for his nomination as Duterte Youth party-list nominee.

Guanzon denied and even laughed at Cardema’s accusations, further calling the former head of the National Youth Commission a “liar,” “purveyor of fake news,” and “namedropper.”

“He’s (Cardema) saying he allegedly had text messages with this woman, he’s naming her as my bag woman. If you gave money to that woman it never reached me. If you were duped why are you blaming me?” Guanzon told ABS CBN News Channel in an interview on Monday.

“This Cardema is a liar and a namedropper,” she added.

Over the weekend, Cardema claimed that an “emissary” of Guanzon asked favors and P2 million from him in exchange for the accreditation of the Duterte Youth as a party-list group.

READ: Cardema names Guanzon in extort try

But Guanzon on Monday pointed out why would she ask someone who is “poor” for P2 million, challenging Cardema to release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net-worth (Saln) as she would readily issue hers as well to find out who has more assets between the two of them. The poll body official thinks Cardema is poorer than her.

Guanzon then stressed that Cardema should stop diverting the attention of the public from the real issue: his qualifications as a youth party-list nominee.

Cardema’s bid as the first nominee of Duterte Youth has been canceled by Comelec’s First Division due to “material misrepresentation” of his age.

The law states that a youth sector representative “must at least be 25 but not more than 30 years of age on the day of the election.” Cardema is already 34 years old when the midterm elections last May 13 was held.

READ: Comelec cancels Cardema’s nomination bid for Duterte Youth

“Let’s focus on his qualifications. Why is he shifting the blame to me that I tried to extort money?” Guanzon said.

As for Cardema’s allegation that she had asked for the appointment of a lawyer to become a regional trial court judge in Iloilo, Guanzon said: “I’m from Negros, I’m not from Iloilo. Why would I want him to have somebody appointed? What is he, the President of the Philippines? He’s not powerful, he’s just a namedropper.”

“He’s just using the President’s name that’s why he grabbed the votes. He got the votes from Davao because he used the President’s name without expressed consent,” she added. Faye Orellana, INQUIRER.net  /kga

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