Gabriela, allies call for quick resolution of Duterte Youth case

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Gabriela, allies call for quick resolution of Duterte Youth case

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

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Members of women’s alliance Gabriels call on Comelec calls on the Commission on Elections to resolve the case against Duterte Youth and proclaim Gabriela Party-list as one of the winners in the 2025 elections. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Activist groups on Wednesday called on the Commission on Elections to rule with finality on the case against Duterte Youth Party-list, which has had its candidacy voided at the division level for alleged failure to meet accreditation requirements.

The party-list's disqualification could lead to the proclamation of Gabriela party-list as one of the winners of the 2025 midterm elections.

Groups including Gabriela and Kabataan, Tayo ang Pag-asa (KTAP) held a rally in front of the Comelec main office at Palacio del Gobernador in Manila on Wednesday.

"Sana bilisan na ho ang pag-dedesisyon ng Comelec. Lalong-lalo na sana pumabor na ibalik sa pwesto ang Gabriela Women's Party-list," Gabriela Deputy Secretary General Cora Agovida told reporters. 

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(We hope the Comelec decision comes soon and we hope even more that the decision will favor Gabriela Women's Party-list comign back to the House)

'GENUINE REPRESENTATION'

Gabriela also submitted letters of appeal to the Comelec from individuals, organizations of women from urban poor communities, young women, women workers, LGTBQIA+ and other advocates of women's rights. 

In its letter, Gabriela urged Comelec to consider their 'appeal for genuine representation, especially for the marginalized sectors like majority of impoverished women in the country.' 

"Sa loob ng 21 years ang kanyang track record ay totoo at tapat sa pagseserbisyo sa kababaihan at mamamayan," Agovida said of the party-list.

(Its track record in the past 21 years has been of true service to women and to the people)

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KTAP National Convenor Brell Lacerna said they share the call of Gabriela. 

"Seal the decision to disqualify Duterte Youth Party-list," he said, adding the group also wants Duterte Youth disqualified for a separate alleged incident of red-tagging in the May elections. 

Lacerna welcomed the Comelec's commitment to resolving these cases, but said more needs to be done to bring back the integrity of the party-list system and of the elections in general. 

Among their suggestions is reverting to a hybrid election system and the passage of a law banning political dynasties. 

Members of women’s alliance Gabriels call on Comelec calls on the Commission on Elections to resolve the case against Duterte Youth and proclaim Gabriela Party-list as one of the winners in the 2025 elections. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News

SEATS MAY GO TO GABRIELA, OTHER PARTY-LISTS

Duterte Youth is entitled to three congressional seats after garnering over 2 million votes, but Comelec suspended its proclamation due to pending cases. 

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When asked about the reallocation of the three seats won by Duterte Youth, both groups are hopeful they will be given to the losing party-lists. 

Gabriela Party-list failed to make the cut of winning groups in the 2025 midterm elections, ranking 55th in the final list of the Comelec.  

Agovida also stressed that the field has been dominated by "fake" party-lists that are controlled by business interests and by political dynasties.

"So ang hirap talaga, yung totoong boses ng marginalized sector yun ang nadedehado," Agovida said. 

(The issue there is that the true voices of marginalized sectors are at a disadvantage)

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DUTERTE YOUTH: 2ND DIVISION 'GRAVELY ERRED'

Duterte Youth filed a motion for reconsideration Monday seeking the reversal of the Second Division ruling last June 18 that canceled its registration as party-list.

The ruling was based on a 2019 petition seeking to void its party-list registration due to lack of publication and accreditation. 

The group argued said the Second Division "gravely erred" when it ruled the registration was void from the start due to non-compliance with the constitutional requirements of publication and hearing.    

Garcia on Tuesday said the case of Duterte Youth will be submitted to the en banc for resolution.  

He said there is no rush for them to resolve the case before June 30, since the group has not yet been proclaimed nor have they taken oath of office.  

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Garcia reiterated the Comelec will perform its duty and 'regularly dispose of the case' in accordance with its rules.

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