Duterte camp wants Guanzon to inhibit from DQ case

MANILA, Philippines – The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is seeking to prevent Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon from getting involved in the disqualification case against the presidential candidate.

Duterte’s lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre said they are ready to file their petition against Guanzon before the Supreme Court.

“If she will not inhibit from taking part in the resolution of the case, we will go up to the (full session of the) Comelec and then to the Supreme Court,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said they doubt if Guanzon can rule fairly on the disqualification case against Duterte, pointing out that she is close to one of the petitioners, Maria Sheila Bazar, and will not be able to render a fair judgment.

Aguirre claimed Guanzon and Bazar have been friends for years and belong to the same organization.

But Guanzon said Bazar is neither a friend nor her sorority sister.

In a post on her Twitter account, Guanzon said Bazar joined the Gender Justice Network but has been inactive for many years.

Last week, Duterte’s camp sought the inhibition of Guanzon before the Comelec’s First Division due to her close association with Bazar.

They also filed a supplemental motion after Guanzon allegedly removed pictures with Bazar posted in her social media account.

Aguirre said they believe Guanzon and Bazar are indeed close friends based on their social media posts that were eventually removed.