FILE PHOTO: Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Aside from her, Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said that Commissioner Marlon Casquejo could not also vote on the consolidated disqualification cases filed against presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Guanzon, who will retire on February 2, announced Tuesday that Casquejo would be replaced in the First Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), handling the consolidated cases against Marcos Jr.
According to Guanzon, Casquejo will preside over the Comelec’s Second Division on February 3.
“Yes, presiding of the Second Division. So, he will not be able to vote on this case,” Guanzon said on ANC’s Headstart when asked if Casquejo would be replaced.
“Maybe they suspect that Commissioner Casquejo will also DQ (vote to disqualify). That’s why I have to come out in public and inform the people of what’s happening inside Comelec because there’s interference and they’re using Ferolino as their soldier,” she added, referring to Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, who is the ponente, or the person tasked to write the resolution, on the filed petitions.
The consolidated disqualification cases against Marcos were raffled off to the Comelec’s First Division composed of Guanzon, Ferolino, and Casquejo as members.
The disqualification cases cited Marcos’ failure to file income tax returns and pay the corresponding tax deficiency.
Guanzon has repeatedly urged Ferolino to release the resolution before her retirement.
Comelec on Monday released Guanzon’s separate opinion on the disqualification cases and voted in favor of the petitioners to disqualify Marcos from the 2022 presidential race.
READ: Comelec releases Guanzon’s separate opinion on DQ cases vs Marcos Jr.
The separate opinion came after Guanzon gave Ferolino an ultimatum to release the resolution by noon on January 31 that was not followed.
READ: Comelec’s Guanzon sets ultimatum for peer to release Marcos case resolution
In his response, Ferolino admonished Guanzon to stop “conditioning” the public’s minds and denied that she was delaying the case.
READ: CA confirms Duterte’s appointee to Comelec
READ: Ferolino tells Guanzon to stop ‘conditioning’ public’s mind as she denies delaying Marcos DQ case
Furthermore, Guanzon claimed that the delay in disqualification cases was the fault of an influential senator, who she will name after she retires and gets assurances the Senate will investigate the matter.
READ: Guanzon: Senator behind Marcos DQ case delay ‘close’ to Duterte; to reveal name ‘in due time’