Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon is one step closer to being confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
The powerful body, however, did not miss the chance to scrutinize Guanzon before they endorse her position for confirmation to the plenary on Wednesday (June 10).
“I pray tomorrow there will be no obstacles when we return to the plenary,” said Guanzon.
Guanzon, who was earlier tagged by Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance as an ally of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party, was grilled on several issues.
Guanzon was reported to have actively pursued in 2013 all Makati-related projects versus the Binay family during her stint as commissioner of the Commission on Audit.
“Hindi po ako member ng anumang political party at ang huli kong pagtakbo sa election ay 1992,” she said.
[Translation: I’m not a member of any political party and the last time I ran for election was in 1992.]
She assured the public of independence and non-partisanship.
The lone lady commissioner at the COMELEC also said she applied for the position and was endorsed by women’s rights leaders such as Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales.
While Guanzon may have proved that she is not a member of the Liberal Party’s inner circle, Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Farinas, however, did not allow issues on Guanzon’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN) untouched.
Farinas questioned why Guanzon did not declare her SALN during her stint in COA in 2013 where she served for 10 months.
Guanzon insisted that she complied with the SALN requirements in 2013 but in the form of an affidavit and not the SALN form of the civil service commission.
Guanzon was asked to complete the SALN she has filed as it only contains the figures without any indication of the currency.
