Ched Rick Gatchalian

Comelec proclaims Alfred Co delos Santos of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list, Robert Raymund Estrella of the Abono Party-list, and Arthur Cua Yap of the Murang Kuryente Party-list as the winning party-lists in the May 2025 elections. Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Comelec proclaims new party-list representatives after Duterte Youth disqualification

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759392225511558050702_1297139532461300_8985820790789457968_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Comelec proclaims Alfred Co delos Santos of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list, Robert Raymund Estrella of the Abono Party-list, and Arthur Cua Yap of the Murang Kuryente Party-list as the winning party-lists in the May 2025 elections. <em>Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially proclaimed three new party-list representatives Thursday, October 2, replacing the disqualified Duterte Youth Party-list.</p><p>The newly proclaimed House representatives are Alfred delos Santos of Ang Probinsyano Party-list, Robert Raymund Estrella of Abono Party-list and Arthur Yap of Murang Kuryente Party-list.</p><p>The Comelec made the proclamation after it decided in an en banc ruling that the disqualification of Duterte Youth is final and executory. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/30/comelec-issues-finality-on-cancellation-of-duterte-youth-s-party-list-registration-1421"><strong>Comelec issues finality on cancellation of Duterte Youth’s party-list registration</strong></a></div><p>The new congressmen were joined by their families and supporters during the proclamation held around 1:30 p.m. at the Chairman’s Hall.</p><p>Meanwhile, Chairman Garcia confirmed that the Comelec will issue a formal resolution to cancel the existing electoral calendar for the postponed October 13 elections and release a new timeline for the rescheduled Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on March 31, 2026.</p><p>“We will issue a resolution to set aside all calendar of activities pertaining to the October 13 elections,” Garcia said, stressing that the Commission remains committed to fulfilling its mandate despite limited preparation time.</p><p>“We will definitely comply doon sa March 31.”</p><p>Although the Comelec has not officially received the full Supreme Court decision, it is already acting based on the briefer provided by the High Court’s spokesperson.</p><p>Garcia also detailed the commission’s early efforts to prepare for the March 31 elections, including the advance printing of ballots.</p><p>This includes ballots for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections scheduled for November 2026, to avoid overlapping timelines with the Bangsamoro ballots, which are expected to be printed by February 2026.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/01/23/comelec-proclaims-all-winners-of-bske-2023"><strong>Comelec proclaims all winners of barangay, SK elections</strong></a></div><p>“Para po matapos kaagad namin ng maaga… hindi magko-conflict yung dalawang aktibidad na ’yan.”</p><p>(So we can finish early and there will be conflict between the two activities)</p><div> </div><div><strong>Pending Legislation and Legal Constraints</strong></div><p>Comelec&#x27;s preparations are also contingent on legislative action by the Bangsamoro Parliament, particularly the passage of a new districting law by October 30, a deadline in line with the 120-day requirement set by the Supreme Court.</p><p>Garcia could not say whether the Bangsamoro Transition Authority can meet the deadline but said Comelec is willing to help “without influencing them or without interfering sa trabaho po nila (with their work).”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Back to Zero</strong></div><p>Due to redistricting, previous candidacies filed in November 2024 will no longer be valid. Comelec expects to open a new filing period around January 2026</p><p>“Back to zero po kami sa lahat ng aktibidad at preparasyon,&quot; said Garcia.</p><p>(All our activities and preparations are back to zero)</p><p>Until districting is finalized, activities such as candidate listing, machine configuration, and voter education cannot proceed.</p><p>All election equipment previously deployed to Bangsamoro must be returned, tested, and reconfigured — incurring additional costs.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Budget Constraints</strong></div><p>Comelec&#x27;s original P2.7 billion-budget for the October elections has already been processed, with 65% allocated for teachers’ honoraria.</p><p>“Tapos na po yung budget namin… maaaring makahabol po kami sa Senado,” Garcia said.</p><p>(Hearings on our budget are done... we might be able to seek an amendment at the Senate)</p><p>He also noted that equipment rentals, including vote-counting machines and Starlink transmission units, must be paid for whether or not the elections proceeded as scheduled.</p><p>Garcia reiterated that many aspects of the election hinge on the actions of the Bangsamoro Parliament, including the potential reopening of party and sectoral organization accreditations, which previously took eight months for over 1,500 applicants.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/1/supreme-court-postpones-oct-13-barmm-parliamentary-elections-1708"><strong>Supreme Court postpones Oct. 13 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections</strong></a></div><p>Despite the tight timeline, Garcia assured the public of Comelec&#x27;s commitment to a lawful, well-organized election in March.</p><p>“The Comelec will immediately comply with our obligation, with our duty… we will have to come up with the new calendar of activities pertaining to the reset Bangsamoro parliamentary election,” he concluded.</p><p>A new, modified election calendar is expected to be released in the coming days.</p>

<p>The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially proclaimed three new party-list representatives today, October 2, replacing the disqualified Duterte Youth Party-list.</p>

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially proclaimed three new party-list representatives today, October 2, replacing the disqualified Duterte Youth Party-list.