MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday ordered retired Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Rowena Guanzon to explain why she should not be held in contempt for violation of the sub judice rule by discussing in public the case regarding her party-list substitution.
A two-page notice signed by SC Clerk of Court Marife Lomibao-Cuevas stated that the high tribunal resolved to require Guanzon to explain within a “non-extendible” period of 10 days why she should not be held in contempt.
The rule prohibits parties to a case from discussing its merits while the case is unresolved.
The High Tribunal noted Guanzon’s interview on her Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The SC issued a temporary restraining order last month stopping the P3PWD party-list from substituting Guazon as its first nominee, in response to the Duterte Youth party-list’s petition questioning the Comelec’s ruling allowing the substitution.
The group’s five original nominees resigned after P3PWD won a seat in the 19th Congress.