Sinabi ni Poll lawyer Romulo Macalintal na kung magretiro si Commissioner Rowena Guanzon nang walang anumang desisyon mula sa Comelec First Division, ang kanyang boto ay "hindi na mabibilang pagkatapos ng naturang petsa ng pagreretiro."

“This means that by Feb. 3 Guanzon’s vote will no longer be considered and the Marcos’ case will just be decided by (Aimee) Ampoloquio and (Marlon) Casquejo, unless a new Commissioner is immediately appointed by President Duterte to fill the vacancy created by Guanzon’s retirement from the Comelec,” aniya sa isang panayam nitong Biyernes, Enero 28.

“In which case, the new Commissioner will join Ampoloquio and Casquejo to finally decide Marcos’ case in the First Division,” dagdag pa nito.

Ang Comelec First Division ay binubuo nina Commissioners Guanzon, Ampoloquio at Casquejo na siyang humahawak sa tatlong disqualification cases na inihain ng Akbayan, Bonifacio IIagan et al, at Abubakar Mangelen laban kay Marcos Jr.

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Noong Huwebes, Enero 27, ibinunyag ni Guanzon na bumoto siya para i-disqualify si Marcos Jr. at naghihintay na lamang ng desisyon na isusulat ni Ampoloquio na aniya ay itinalagang ponente o Commissioner para magsulat ng desisyon.

Naniniwala ang poll official na kaya naantala ang desisyon ay dahil umano sa kanyang boto.

“To knock out my vote, they think they can invalidate it by releasing the resolution of the ponencia after I retire, which cannot happen because I already submitted my separate opinion… That should already be on the record that I voted already,” ani Guanzon.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Guanzon na ang desisyon ay nakatakdang lumabas noong Enero 17.

Gayunpaman, ang staff o lawyer-in-charge para sa drafting ay dinapuan ng coronavirus disease (COVID-19).