Ferolino tells Guanzon to stop ‘conditioning’ public’s mind as she denies delaying Marcos DQ case

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino

MANILA, Philippines — As infighting continues within the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino on Monday denied allegations that she delayed the release of the disqualification cases against Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a memorandum, Ferrolino responded to the accusation made by Rowena Guanzon that she was delaying the release of the resolution on the consolidated disqualification cases against presidential candidate Marcos Jr.

“With all due respect, there is nothing to explain because I do not submit to your pronouncement that there is a delay in the release of my Ponencia on the Marcos cases,” said Ferolino.

“While you have the privilege and the liberty to take down your posts and correct it, I am not afforded the same opportunity should I release a flawed resolution, especially when it has already been promulgated,” she added.

According to Ferolino, she is “judiciously scrutinizing” all evidence “so that these will be rightfully appreciated in the process of penning the Ponencia.”

“In all that I do, I take into consideration the timelines and the rules, I see to it that I perform my duty within the bounds of the law,” Ferolino explained.

“The only reason for the unavailability of the resolution after fifteen days is that I am reviewing three consolidated cases among others thoroughly to craft an objective resolution,” she added.

‘Stop conditioning the public’s mind’

Ferolino then accused Guanzon of “conditioning” the public’s mind that there is a delay in releasing the results, explaining that it will not benefit her in any way whether Guanzon’s vote is supported or defeated.

“As a co-equal member of this Commission, I am asking you to please stop conditioning the minds of the people that there is a delay because there is none,” said Ferolino.

She explained that it even took one month for the Second Division to promulgate a resolution for the other Marcos case.

“More importantly, I am asking you to spare the Commission from all these controversies because you are destroying the credibility of the agency which you claimed to have previously served with integrity and candor,” she added.

Guanzon, over the weekend, said she had given Ferolino until noon on Monday, January 31, to release the resolution by the Comelec First Division on the petition to disqualify Marcos Jr. from running in the May 9 presidential polls.

READ: Comelec’s Guanzon sets ultimatum for peer to release Marcos case resolution

Guanzon has previously disclosed that she voted to disqualify Marcos Jr. and claimed “political interference” was delaying the release of the resolution that was supposed to be written by Ferolino to defeat her vote as she is set to retire as one of the poll body’s commissioners on February 2.

READ: Guanzon: Senator behind delay in Marcos DQ case

RELATED STORIES

Guanzon dares Marcos Jr. DQ case ponente: Let us resign together

Comelec releases Guanzon’s separate opinion on DQ cases vs Marcos Jr.