MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it already ordered Duterte Youth Partylist first nominee Rep. Drixie Mae Suarez Cardema to explain the use of "Cardema" in her Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said their Law Department already agreed to do this through a letter and no longer a show-cause order. 

"Ginawa ng law department na letter instead kasi ayaw natin sabihin na may formal na kaso na kaagad silang kakaharpin. Wala naman problema na magpaliwanag muna. Syempre, ito ay motu proprio ng Commission," said Garcia in an interview with reporters.

"Letter is technically the show cause order pero ginawa natin letter lang ito kasi para sabihin at pakita na hindi naman ito mismong directed against sa kanila at nagkakaroon na agad ng investigation for purposes of criminal prosecution or whatever. Purpose natin dito alamin ano punot dulo, bakit nagamit yung family name na yun or bakit ganun family name ng number one nominee," he said. 

READ: Issues surrounding Duterte Youth likely resolved by June 30 — Comelec

He added that they did not want the party-list group to feel they were being "singled out" because of the issue. 

They have three days to respond to the letter, according to the poll chief. 

"Kailangan lang talaga ma settle ng law Department ang issue. Ang garanitya natin, the Comelec will always be fair, impartial, and reasonable and just sa pagtingin sa issue na ito," he said. 

Asked if their response to the letter was mandatory, Garcia answered in the negative. 

"Kung hindi niya gusto sumagot, wala naman masama. At least kahit paano may opportunity pakinggan sila. Sa bandang huli, ang law Department nagbibigay recommendation sa en banc para alamin ano tamang gawin ng comelec en banc," he said. 

The party-list named after former President Rodrigo Duterte faced new questions from the public after they pointed out that Cardema's actual surname is apparently Suarez.

Drixie is the sister of Ducielle Cardema, wife of the group's chairman Ronald Cardema.

The Duterte Youth earlier argued Rep. Cardema is using a "political name", the same one that Ronald and Duciella tried to get elected to local positions in Laguna province under.

Comelec last week said it could resolve issues surrounding the proclamation of the Duterte Youth party-list before June 30.