SC nullifies Guanzon's substitution as P3PWD nominee

The Supreme Court has granted Duterte Youth Party-List's petition against the substitution of former Commission on Elections commissioner Rowena Guanzon as the first nominee of Komunidad ng Pamilya, Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities (P3PWD) Party-List.

In a 131-page decision dated August 20, 2024, the court declared Comelec Minute Resolution No. 22-0774 null and void for grave abuse of discretion, making the Temporary Restraining Order against Guanzon permanent.

The SC emphasized that nominee substitutions must adhere to strict deadlines set by Comelec regulations to maintain transparency and fairness in elections, noting a pattern of 'whimsicality and arbitrariness' by approving commissioners.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the ruling will guide the commission in dealing with similar issues in the future and directed P3PWD to submit additional nominees other than those whose substitutions had been declared null and void.

The Comelec is now forming a team to look into guidelines for party-list nominations, aiming to revise provisions consistent with the SC decision. Garcia also stated that they are prepared to proclaim new nominees submitted by P3PWD without filing a motion for reconsideration.