MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday disowned a press release stating that its former commissioner, Rowena Guanzon, and two other party-list representatives would be proclaimed and take their oath today.
In a statement, the Comelec said the spurious press release, circulated on social media, was dated May 5 and purportedly issued by the poll body’s Education and Information Department.
The press release allegedly ordered party-list first nominees Guanzon of the Komunidad ng Pamilya Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities, Alvin Sahagun of Maharlikang Pilipino and Rodolfo Ordanes of Senior Citizens to appear before the House of Representatives at 2 p.m. today for their proclamation and oath-taking.
The Comelec said it “unreservedly refutes the genuineness and legitimacy of a document being disseminated on social media.”
“Contrary to the claim in the spurious document, the Comelec is without authority or jurisdiction to make such an order, whether under the Constitution or any existing law or regulation,” the poll body added.
The Comelec also pointed out that its proceedings in relation to the party-list system of representation are ordinarily conducted within its premises.