Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Rowena Guanzon said she will file a motion for reconsideration to the Office of the Ombudsman’s finding probable cause to indict her on graft charges for allegedly “prematurely disclosing confidential information” about the disqualification case of then-presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I did not steal from the government. That is related to my interviews about the Ferdinand Marcos disqualification case. It was to inform the public that there were powerful people who were interfering in COMELEC and therefore its independence and the elections were at serious risk,” Guanzon, who is a Negrense, said Monday, January 8.
“I will file my Motion for Reconsideration in due time. I have not received it (the ombudsman’s ruling) in my Metro Manila address,” Guanzon said.
“My Motion for Reconsideration is, among others, based on the fact that there was no voting or internal deliberations yet when I was interviewed,” Guanzon said.
The Ombudsman in a resolution dated July 25, 2023 ordered the filing of two counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, based on complaints filed by Citizen’s Crime Watch chairman Ferdinand Topacio and president Diego Magpantay.
“Let’s not forget this is a retaliatory act of Ferdinand Topacio, whom I accused of Cyber Unjust Vexation and is facing trial in the RTC of Bacolod,” Guanzon said.
Topacio in his complaint cited Guanzon’s appearances in two interviews where she discussed Marcos’ disqualification from the May 2022 polls that were then pending before Comelec.
“Records disclose that by virtue of respondent’s position, she acquired the valuable information relating to the disqualification cases of Marcos Jr. and she prematurely divulged such confidential information prior to the official release of the Comelec’s decision,” the Ombudsman said.*