Guanzon says she voted to disqualify Bongbong Marcos

Outgoing Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon announced her vote to disqualify presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. based on his failure to pay income taxes in the 1980s.

Poll lawyer Romulo Macalintal stated that Guanzon's vote might not be counted if she retires on February 2 without a decision being released.

If Guanzon's vote is invalidated, the case will be decided by Commissioners Aimee Ampoloquio and Marlon Casquejo, unless a new commissioner is appointed.

Guanzon attributed the delay in the ruling's release to the ponente, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, whom she stated is currently "incommunicado."

In response, Marcos Jr.'s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) called for Guanzon's disbarment and forfeiture of retirement benefits, with PFP general counsel George Briones alleging Guanzon "destroyed the reputation of the institution" by prematurely disclosing her vote.

House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta also called Guanzon's disclosure "improper" and "irresponsible," stating she should have waited for the ponente's opinion before making it public, and suggested she might have violated the sub judice rule.

Marcoleta, who is part of the Marcos-Sara Duterte Senate slate, added that Guanzon's actions could "assail the integrity of her colleagues and that of the Comelec itself" because the decision apparently went against her.