House leader calls on Bautista, Guanzon to settle rift privately

MANILA, Philippines - A senior House of Representatives leader on Monday called on Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials to stop infighting and resolve their dispute among themselves.

House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chair and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said that the dispute among poll body officials ruins the reputation of the Comelec as an institution.

Comelec Chair Juan Andres Bautista earlier issued a memorandum asking Commissioner Rowena Guanzon to explain the 73-page comment on the disqualification case of Sen. Grace Poe before the Supreme Court.

Guanzon filed the comment without the concurrence of the entire Comelec.

READ: Bautista, Guanzon face off at Comelec today

Bautista said that Guanzon's filing was "irregular and personally disrespectful" as the poll body was given until January 12 to file its comment on the case.

The commissioner, however, insisted that Bautista does not have administrative supervision over her.

"I know that Commissioner Guanzon is not directly under Chairman Bautista but do not forget that they are collegial body headed by its chairman," Castro said.

Castro added that the two Comelec officials should tone down their temper and look for an avenue to settle their dispute.

The lawmaker said that the bickering between Bautista and Guanzon will not help the poll body move forward.

Castro suggested that other commissioners, as part of the Comelec, should interfere and aim to move as one given that the election is fast approaching.

Former Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes shared the same sentiments, pointing out that the rift between Bautista and Guanzon should have been discussed privately.