Homeowners, Comelec official trade accusations

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Homeowners in a subdivision here filed a complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon after she allegedly threatened the subdivision’s guards.

Goldcrest Subdivision Homeowners Association President Larry Decena told reporters here that the guards confronted Guanzon’s vehicle for using the subdivision’s old sticker

However, she tried to force her way inside the subdivision, Decena claimed.

After 30 minutes, Guanzon allegedly went back to the guards and started shouting at and threatened them.

Decena said Guanzon then left, and when she returned, she was already escorted by police.

Guanzon and Decena were then brought to Police Station 3, and both filed complaints against each other.

Members of the homeowner’s association also went to the station to file a separate complaint against Guanzon.

Decena also said he is ready to face any case filed against him by Guanzon.

Guanzon denied Decena’s allegations saying she never threatened the subdivision’s guards, and she was never armed during the confrontation.

She explained that she was supposed to visit her sibling’s home in the same subdivision, but she was denied entry because her vehicle was using an old car pass sticker.

Guanzon said she exited her vehicle and told the guard to re-check because the sticker is still valid until December of 2020, but the guard replied to “wait for his boss.”

When Decena arrived, she claimed he was not wearing a face mask and asked Decena to stay away from her.

Decena, however, did not listen and continued to approach and argued with her, the poll official added.

Guanzon also claimed that she didn’t know Decena was the president of the homeowner’s association, and just introduced himself as the “general.”

The Comelec commissioner said she will file charges against Decena for violating the city’s Executive Order 35 or the city’s ordinance requiring individuals to wear their masks when outdoors.

She will also sue Decena for violating the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act of 2020 as he did not follow social distancing measures, claiming Decena continued to approach her even though she was backing up.

She also denied using her position as Comelec commissioner during the incident.

Guanzon accused Decena of intimidating her, as the latter knows her position.

She further said that she will never accept any settlement with Decena.