THE Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision approving the substitution of the original nominees of P3PWD partylist by former Comelec commissioner Rowena Amelia Guanzon.

In a four-page resolution dated June 29, 2002 and promulgated by Clerk of Court Marife LomibaoCuevas, the Supreme Court en banc required the respondents, Comelec, House of Representatives and Guanzon to comment on the petition filed by Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Ducielle Marie Cardema and National Youth Commission Chairman Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema within 10 days from notice.

“Whereas, considering the allegations contained, the issues raised and arguments adduced in the petition, without necessarily giving due course to the petition, it is necessary and proper to [issue a TRO],” the court said.

The Supreme Court declared that the halt order is “effective immediately and continuing until further orders from the high court.”

“The Comelec shall likewise furnish the court with a duplicate original and certified true copy of its assailed resolution within five days from notice hereof,” the resolution read.

In their petition, the Cardema couple alleged that Guanzon misrepresented herself as the nominee of the P3PWD during the campaign period, adding that the high court must stop Guanzon’s substitution as P3PWD party-list representative.

Cardema cited a Comelec rule stating: “Any Comelec approval of substitution is not valid unless the list of new nominees is published in two newspapers of general circulation.”

The P3PWD party-list earlier argued that they submitted their proof of publication last June 17, 2022 as they supposedly published on June 15 (Wednesday) and June 17 (Friday). June 27 is the last day in the prescribed period of filing a petition against Guanzon’s substitution in the Comelec.

Cardema maintained that the publication requirement was not complied with.

“Their June 15 (Wed) publication was printed ahead of the June 15 Comelec En Banc Resolution to approve substitution. If their list was published/appeared in the newspaper on June 15, clearly it was paid/printed in the newspaper on the night of June 14 and is therefore not compliant with [a future order] of the Comelec later on the daytime of June 15,” he said.

“Second, in her Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination, Rowena Guanzon stated Under Oath that ‘I am eligible, I possess all the legal qualifications, and none of the disqualifications provided by law.’ This is clearly material misrepresentation and lying under oath,” Cardema added.

He said that Guanzon, who was substituted in a partyl-ist regulated and approved by her collegial body just four months and two weeks after retirement, where she will now gain financial or material interest, “is clearly a violation of these two legal hallmarks against graft, corruption, and abuse of public office.”

Guanzon has filed libel and unjust vexation charges against Cardema before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.