MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday denied Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s motion for inhibition of Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon from disqualification cases against him due to lack of merit.
“In view of the foregoing, the Commission (First Division) hereby DENIES the Motions for disqualification and or Inhibitions for lack of merit,” the Comelec order read.
“Let the January 18, 2016 Memoranda of Comm. Ma. Rowena Amelia V. Guanzon be made an integral part of the records of these cases,” it added.
The order was released after Duterte’s camp filed a 17-page motion for inhibition before the Comelec last January 12. His legal counsel is asking Guanzon not to take part in hearing the four disqualification cases he is facing due to alleged bias against the mayor.
READ:Duterte camp wants Guanzon to inhibit from DQ case
The four disqualification cases against Duterte were filed by broadcaster Ruben Castor, nuisance presidential candidate Rizalito David, University of the Philippines Student Council Chair John Paulo Delas Nieves and lawyer Ely Pamatong before the Comelec First Division. The petitioners claim that Duterte’s certificate of candidacy should be canceled because his substitution for former Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan standard bearer Martin Diño was invalid.
Comelec First Division’s Presiding Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, Commissioners Luie Tito Guia and Guanzon signed the three-paged order issued on Monday afternoon.