Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has issued a memorandum addressed to Commissioner Aimee Ferolino asking her to explain writing the reason behind the delay in the resolution of the disqualification cases filed against Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
"Please submit a written explanation not later than 31 January 2022, 12 noon, as to why you have delayed the release of your ponencia," the document read.
The document dated Jan. 28, stated that it has been 18 days since the three petitions for the disqualification of Marcos Jr. were raffled to her office.
It further mentioned that the commissioners agreed in the First Division for Ferolino to write her ponencia to be submitted on Jan. 17 but she later informed on that day she was not able to do so since one of her lawyers suffered from COVID-19.
However, in a letter sent to Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas, Ferolino said there was no internal agreement between and among the First Division Commissioners that the promulgation of the resolution on the Marcos case is set on Jan. 17 2022.
She clarified in the letter that it was Guanzon, the Presiding Commissioner, to be the one who set that date and imposed the same upon her and Commissioner Marlon Casquejo.
She also accused Guanzon of trying to influence her decision on the case.
Meanwhile, Guanzon said in the memoranda that on Jan. 25 she sent several text messages to Ferolino to finish her ponencia as agreed upon, or waive the drafting of the decision in favor of Commissioner Marlon Casquejo which Ferolino refused.
Due to the circumstances, Guanzon stated that she has no other conclusion than that Ferolino is deliberately delaying the release of her ponencia after the former has retired in order to defeat her vote.
"This way, my Separate Opinion will not be attached to the Majority Resolution and will not form part of the records," it further mentioned.
Guanzon, who is a member of the Comelec First Division that is handling the consolidated disqualification cases filed against Marcos Jr. mentioned on Thursday, Jan. 27 that she believes that the decision is deliberately being delayed to discredit her vote which is to disqualify the former senator.
Three consolidated disqualification cases are being handled by the Comelec First Division. These were filed by Abubakar Mangelen, Akbayan and Bonifacio Ilagan et al.