MANILA, Philippines — If not for the “greediness” of disqualified Duterte Youth representative Ronald Cardema, his wife would have been qualified for the position in the first place, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Friday.
“His wife was qualified, how many times do I have to say ‘stupid’ that your wife was qualified!” Guanzon, who was in a fiery tone, said in an interview over ANC’s “Headstart.”
“But you kicked her out because you’re greedy! That’s the problem with people like you, you don’t follow the law,” Guanzon added.
Cardema, who was a former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson, became the last-minute substitute for his wife, Ducielle Marie Suarez Cardema, as Duterte Youth party-list first nominee.
However, the Comelec First Division denied Cardema’s nomination. In the Comelec resolution that confirms the cancellation, Guanzon was one of the signatories.
READ: Comelec cancels Cardema’s nomination bid for Duterte Youth
A word war later ensued between the two, with Cardema accusing Guanzon of extorting P2 million in exchange for securing the Comelec accreditation of the party-list group.
Cardema also claimed of receiving text messages from an unnamed congresswoman, who he said was the Comelec commissioner’s “emissary.”
READ: Cardema cries extortion; all for publicity, says poll exec
Guanzon later denied the allegations, and challenged Cardema to name the certain “bagwoman.”
READ: Guanzon tells Cardema to name bagwoman, or shut up
“Now your wife is going crazy also because you are poor, you have no job!” Guanzon later said of Cardema during the televised interview.
While the Comelec commissioner later expressed sympathy over the current condition of Cardema’s wife, she later added: “But she should be sitting as congresswoman now if not for you, Cardamac!”
Guanzon was referring to Cardema’s revelation that his wife was hospitalized due to stress and was experiencing complications in her pregnancy. /jpv