MANILA — Representative-elect Leila De Lima believes that it is within the rules of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the proclamation of party-list groups Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon, due to pending petitions against them.

"Comelec has explained that there are strong grounds for the suspension of their proclamation, or strong ground sa mga petiton na finile against sa kanila. It's perfectly within the rules of the Comelec na kapag may mga pending kaso na lalo na kung nakikita nila na malakas at seryoso ang grounds, it's within their authority to suspend the proclamation of these partylists," said De Lima, in an interview after attending a thanksgiving mass in EDSA Shrine.

Comelec chairman George Garcia made the announcement in a press briefing, hours before the party-list winners' proclamation Monday afternoon, May 19.

 Garcia promised that the poll body will resolve these pending cases on or before June 30. 

Akbayan Representative Percival Cendaña, who was also present during the thanksgiving mass at the EDSA Shrine, said that he is confident that the Comelec will uphold the rule of law when it comes to investigating and reviewing the cases filed against these groups.

Akbayan has won 3 seats after ranking 1st in the midterm polls with 2,776,316 votes.

"Tiwala tayo sa liderato ng Comelec that they will uphold the rule of law and naniniwala. tayo na may mga prosesong pinagdadaanan at ang mga prosesong ito ay ayon sa batas," said Cendaña.