BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negrense women’s rights advocate Rowena Guanzon yesterday said that she retires from the Commission on Election with “honor and excellence.”
The term of Guanzon, former mayor of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental, as Comelec commissioner ended February 2.
Guanzon, who chaired the Comelec First Division, told CNN Philippines’ the Source, “I retire today at midnight (Feb.2) with a glass of wine on my hand, and a bible on my left,” as she expressed that she was able to inspire the youth to also enter public service.
Guanzon also rallied young people to “always stand for what is right.”
Although she left the Comelec First Division with the disqualification cases against presidential aspirant former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still unresolved, Guanzon said she will retire with honor and excellence.
Guanzon also revealed that she has been shortlisted for the position of deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas.
“I was shortlisted as deputy ombudsman for the Visayas and there are three of us. One from Davao, one is a director in the Ombudsman here in Manila. Well, it is up to the President [whether] he appoints me or not. But I am a no-nonsense career public servant and a professor of law. So, I will serve,” Guanzon further said.
The feisty former Comelec commissioner also said that she is not closing the door for her entry to politics, noting that her family is involved in local politics in Negros Occidental.
Her brother, Sixto, is seeking reelection as a board member of the 2nd district of Negros Occidental, while their sister, former Judge Frances Guanzon is a councilor aspirant in Cadiz City.
Their mother, the late Elvira Guanzon, also served as a board member of the province from 1963 until 1988.
“Maybe in 2025…Let’s see, but three years is a short time,” Guanzon, who along with acting chair Sheriff Abas and fellow Commissioner Antonio Kho Jr, were accorded with retirement honors by the Comelec, said.*
