Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon (File photo)
MANILA – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Friday challenged the counsel of the party of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., (BBM) to a debate, following the disclosure of her vote in the disqualification case against the former lawmaker.
“I challenge George Briones of Partido Federal of BBM to a debate on TV. If he thinks he is brighter than me he should agree. The Commission En Banc @COMELEC has no jurisdiction over an administrative complaint against a Commissioner. I am an impeachable officer. You people better study. Let's debate on TV,” Guanzon said in a Twitter post.
Guanzon said that she may cite the party for contempt for threatening her.
“Does BBM know that Partido Federal is threatening me, the Presiding Commissioner while his case is pending? Maybe I'll contempt you and put you in the Manila city jail,” she added.
This came as the party called for the disbarment and forfeiture of Guanzon's retirement benefits for allegedly "prematurely and illegally" disclosing her vote which was in favor of the disqualification cases of the former senator.
Guanzon will retire from the Comelec on February 2, along with chairperson Sheriff Abas and fellow Commissioner Antonio Kho Jr.
On Thursday, Guanzon, Presiding Commissioner of the First Division, revealed that she voted to disqualify Marcos, based on her dissenting opinion on the case.
The other members of the First Division are Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio, the ponente of the case.
The three disqualification cases which were consolidated were filed by Bonifacio Ilagan, among others, Akbayan and Abubakar Mangelen.
Meanwhile, Briones declined the poll body Commissioner’s invitation citing their fraternity’s Code of Action.
“Since Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disclosed that I am her Sigma Rho Fraternity brother. I respectfully decline her invitation to debate with her. For I firmly believe in our Code of Action which is 'to give due respect if not love to a Sister Deltan',” he said in a statement. (PNA)
