Guanzon to Ferolino: Explain delay in release of Marcos case ruling

COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) First Division Presiding Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Saturday, January 29, 2022, ordered Member Commissioner Aimee Ferolino to explain on or before Monday noon the delays in the release of the Resolution on the disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In a two-page Memorandum, Guanzon said it is imperative for Ferolino to explain why the decision on the consolidated cases against Marcos has yet to be released 18 days since the case was raffled to her, and 11 days since their agreed-upon deadline for the resolution of the case.

"As I've mentioned, 18 days have lapsed since the three consolidated cases were raffled to you, and it is unjustifiable that you have not submitted your ponencia to the First Division," said Guanzon.

"Please submit a written explanation not later than 31 January 2022, 12 noon, as to why you have delayed the release of your ponencia. For strict compliance," she added.

The senior poll official said she is demanding an explanation as she already believes that the delay is being done deliberately.

Add to this, she said, is the fact that she is already set to retire from the Commission.

"Inasmuch as I am retiring on 2 February 2022, I have no other conclusion than that you are deliberately delaying the release of your ponencia until after I retire in order to defeat my vote," she said.

"This way, my Separate Opinion will not be attached to the Majority Resolution and will not form part of the records," added Guanzon.

The Comelec First Division was expected to rule on the disqualification cases filed against Marcos by Bonifacio Ilagan and others by Akbayan party and Abubakar Mangelen last January 17.

The First Division’s decision, however, has yet to be promulgated as of Saturday.

According to Guanzon, it was January 10 when the three petitions for disqualification were raffled to Ferolino's office, with the three-man panel agreeing to have her submit her ponencia on January 17.

However, on the agreed deadline, Guanzon said Ferolino informed the former that the resolution cannot be released yet after the lawyer assigned by the latter to study the case was hit by the coronavirus.

Also on January 17, Guanzon said she furnished Ferolino a copy of her Memorandum of Vote and Separate Opinion, wherein she voted to disqualify Marcos.

Guanzon also recalled how she sent Ferolino several text messages on January 24 asking her to finish the ponencia as agreed upon.

Guanzon said she also gave Ferolino the option to waive the drafting of the decision and pass it to Commissioner Marlon Casquejo instead, to which the latter refused. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)