MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has filed a complaint for unjust vexation against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio for “mocking” her for supposedly having Alzheimer’s disease.
The Comelec official announced this on Twitter Friday following the death of her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. She said she will also file a disbarment complaint against the lawyer.
“F. Topacio mocked me for having the same disease and vexed and annoyed me to no end through Twitter and FB. I have filed a complaint against him for Unjust Vexation in Bacolod,” said Guanzon.
My mother , who had Alzheimer's disease, passed away at 95. F Topacio mocked me for having the same disease and vexed and annoyed me to no end through Twitter and FB . I have filed a complaint against him for Unjust Vexation in Bacolod .
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) August 7, 2020
“Yes, I am also filing a disbarment complaint against F. Topacio. After my mother’s 40th day,” she added.
Yes , I am also filing a Disbarment complaint against F Topacio . After my mother's 40th day .
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) August 7, 2020
Guanzon was apparently referring to her exchanges of tweets with Topacio in April, where the latter remarked that Guanzon “must be having early onset Alzheimer’s.”
I told @YesYesYo13 to sit down, "Sienta te" in DOJ . And he did , like a good lawyer . In fairness to him, he was on my side against Cardema . But I don't think he is from UP Law or Ateneo Law.
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) April 26, 2020
Then you must be having early onset Alzheimer's. I was there several times.
— YesYesYo! (@YesYesYo13) April 26, 2020
In that social media exchange, Guanzon called this remark an “insult,” saying that her mother has the same disease and “that’s not taken lightly.”
INQUIRER.net has sought a comment from Topacio but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.