Guanzon threatens to file impeachment complaint vs Ferolino over delayed ruling on Marcos case

FILE PHOTO Commissioner Aimee Ferolino (left) and Commissioner Rowena Guanzon /INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —  Commissioner Rowena Guanzon of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday threatened to file an impeachment complaint against her fellow Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, claiming that she delayed the resolution on Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s disqualification case in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Guanzon made the threat when asked whether she was not afraid of libel suits for claiming Ferolino, the ponente in the disqualification cases, was delaying the release of the resolution.

“She should be afraid of me because I might file an impeachment complaint against her for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Do not threaten me with libel suits because I was a professor of law and [a] practicing lawyer for more than 25 years. You can sue me anywhere in the country. I have money to go around the country and campaign against your candidate,” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.

Asked if she was thinking of filing an impeachment complaint against Ferolino, Guanzon said: “I can, I can.”

Guanzon is set to retire from Comelec on Wednesday. She believes that Ferolino is “acting in conspiracy with some people to delay the votes” so her vote to disqualify Marcos would not be counted.

“I will go around the country explaining my vote. Ayan, ginalit nyo na ako eh (It’s because you angered me). By Friday, I have billboards na in Metro Manila,” Guanzon said when asked what she would do after her retirement.

“I will say this is my vote… I will have billboards in Metro Manila starting this weekend that says ‘labanan ang mali, labanan ang masasama (fight what is wrong).’ Oh ayan, ginalit niyo ako eh (It’s because you angered me),” she added.

Guanzon earlier said that an influential senator is to blame for the delay in releasing the resolution on the consolidated disqualification cases against Marcos handled by Comelec’s First Division.

The senator’s name had already been revealed to a “person in authority,” whose identity she didn’t reveal.

Ferolino earlier denied she was delaying the release of the resolution. She said 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.

INQUIRER.net has sought the comment of Ferolino through text message regarding the threat of Guanzon for an impeachment complaint but has yet to receive a reply as of posting.

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