Marcos party calls on Comelec to probe Guanzon, who hits back with threats of contempt, jail time

FILE PHOTOS. Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon and former Senator Bongbong Marcos.

MANILA, Philippines — Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) has called on the Commission on Elections (PFP) to investigate Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon for revealing her vote to disqualify former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections.

George Briones, general counsel of PFP, said Guanzon “illegally disclosed and leaked with undue haste” her decision to disqualify Marcos Jr.

“When Rowena Guanzon publicly disclosed with undue haste her minority opinion, before the submission of the other COMMISSIONERS’ OPINIONS, and prior to the promulgation of the complete decision, in order to put her fellow Commissioners under a cloud of suspicion with her bare suspicions that an unnamed politician probably intervened is double hearsay and pure tsismis and should be condemned by the Supreme Court as unworthy of a sitting commissioner of the Comelec,” he said in a statement.

But the feisty lady commissioner did not take the threats lightly.

On Twitter, Guanzon, the presiding commissioner of the First Division handling the consolidated disqualification cases of Marcos, issued a warning of her own.

Alam ba ni BBM that Partido Federal is threatening me, the Presiding Commissionerwhile his case is pending? Baka e contempt ko kayo ipakulong ko kayo sa Mla city jail.

— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) January 28, 2022

She further questioned whether Marcos had any hand in coming out with the statement.

“Alam ba ni BBM (Marcos) that Partido Federal is threatening me, the Presiding Commissioner while his case is pending? Baka e-contempt ko kayo, ipakulong ko kayo sa [Manila] city jail,” Guanzon said.

Guanzon earlier announced that she had voted to disqualify him from the May 9 elections on the ground that he committed moral turpitude for non payment of his income tax returns when he was still Ilocos Norte governor.

In a separate post, Guanzon likewise challenged Atty. George Briones, legal counsel of Partido Federal, to a debate on the matter.

I challenge George Briones of Partido Federal of BBM to a debate on TV .If he thinks he is brighter than me he shouod agree .they are diverting the issue. Ilabas na ni Comm Ferrolino ang Resolution . Ang talo mag Motion for Reconsideration.

— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) January 28, 2022

“I challenge George Briones of Partido Federal of BBM to a debate on TV. If he thinks he is brighter than me he [should] agree, they are diverting the issue,” she tweeted. “The Commission En Banc has no jurisdiction over an administrative complaint against a Commissioner. I am an impeachable officer. [You] people better study. Let’s debate on TV.”

Interfering, influencing

Guanzon likewise claimed that somebody was interfering in or influencing the disqualification cases, but did not mention anyone in particular. She later said in another media interview that she was referring to a certain politician.

Yes , it will be a mess. Whoever is interfering in the cases should know that theu are not helping anyone. It is best that the cases o up to thr Supreme Ct as soon as possible. https://t.co/J4znIgDe1H

— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) January 27, 2022

Meanwhile, Guanzon also questioned if Briones’ statement was made upon the orders of Marcos.

“Ang mga Marcos hindi vindictive. Bakit ang Partido ni BBM vindictive? Utos ba ni BBM yan?” she said.

Amg mga Marcos hindi vindictive.bakit ang Partido ni BBM vindictive ? Utos ba ni BBM yan ? @Pilipinas2022

— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) January 28, 2022

EDV