Ex-Comelec official wants Topacio disbarred
Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has filed a disbarment case against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio over his defamatory remarks against her and alleged use of money to encourage his social media followers to “perpetuate his despicable and contemptuous conduct.”
In a petition to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines dated June 10, Guanzon said it was “unbefitting” of Topacio, who is an officer of the court, to publish sexist views online that encouraged the objectification of women.
She cited his motto on his Twitter profile @YesYesYo that said, “Women are the foundation of society, so men must lay the foundation” and argued that it trivialized the struggle of women in fighting abuse, objectification, and discrimination.
Guanzon also claimed Topacio violated the Code of Professional Responsibility when he posted defamatory comments and launched an online “meme-making” contest to insult and humiliate her in public through his Twitter account.
—JANE BAUTISTA
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