Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756430833358Screenshot 2025-08-29 at 9.26.52 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Comelec chairman George Garcia and Duterte Youth chairman Ronald Cardema. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — The Commission on Elections said Friday its en banc affirmed the cancellation of Duterte Youth’s party-list accreditation. The Comelec Second Division in June cancelled the accreditation of Duterte Youth for failure to submit requirements. The en banc voted 5-1 to uphold the cancellation of Duterte Youth&#x27;s registration, Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters in Zamboanga City. Garcia inhibited from the decision, while Commissioner Rey Bulay dissented.The Comelec division’s decision stemmed from a 2019 case filed by youth leaders, who argued that Duterte Youth’s registration was void ab initio or from the beginning due to its failure to comply with the requirements the Comelec set for party-lists seeking accreditation. In the 10-page decision, the en banc affirmed the 2nd Division’s findings regarding the cancellation of its registration, saying Duterte Youth committed other violations, including the following. <ul><li>Untruthful statements in its petition on the eligibility of its nominees</li><li>Lack of bona fide intention to represent the sector for which the petition has been filed and thus, prevent a faithful determination of the true will of the electorate;</li><li>Advocating for violence or unlawful means to achieve its goal </li><li>Being adjunct of or an entity funded or assisted by the National Youth Commission;</li><li>Violation or failure to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections </li><li>Filing a petition to put the election process in mockery or disrepute.</li></ul><div> </div>But in its motion for reconsideration, Duterte Youth claimed that the Second Division &quot;gravely erred&quot; when it ruled that the group&#x27;s registration was void ab initio. It said that under the law the Comelec and not the party-list applicant should publish the petition for registration in two national newspapers and resolve the petition within fifteen days from the date it was submitted for resolution. The group also cited a Comelec resolution that states that the Commission shall require the petitioner to publish the petition for registration at his expense in two national newspapers of general circulation accredited by the poll body.The en banc, however, said, “the petitioners did not present any documentary and testimonial evidence to substantiate their allegations.”All these considered, the commissioners said Duterte Youth’s motion for reconsideration should be denied for lack of merit.“It is evident that the motion failed to raise any valid or substantial ground to warrant a reconsideration of the assailed resolution,” the decision read. Aside from this, the Comelec en banc emphasized that the duty to publish the required documents for the partylist registration lies with the organization and not with the poll body – contrary to the group’s argument. “This includes full compliance with jurisdictional requirements such as publication and shouldering the costs thereof. These are not mere formalities but essential legal prerequisites that Respondent-Movant must comply with,” the ruling read. “The required publication satisfies the people&#x27;s constitutional right to information on matters of public concern…. in a functioning democracy, accountability must not be viewed as a passive response to enforcement - it must be a proactive and deliberate act,” it said. “A genuine commitment to democratic governance requires initiative and an unwavering willingness to meet legal duties without waiting to be compelled,” it added. The Comelec en banc noted that there is no prescriptive period on the party-list organization’s cancellation of registration, “because the granting authority can always review and revoke” it, citing Rule 2 of Comelec Resolution No. 9366 and Section 6 of the Party-List System Act. Lastly, the en banc upheld the findings of the 2nd Division regarding the group’s withdrawal “and substitution en masse” in 2019, which  according to the poll body “undermined the spirit and intent of the partylist system.”Ronald Cardema&#x27;s wife, Ducielle, the first nominee for Duterte Youth, along with 4 other nominees withdrew their candidacies on May 12, 2019 a day before the midterm elections.Cardema filed his petition for substitution on the same day.“It puts a mockery in the election process, ultimately violating laws, rules, and regulations relating to elections,” the ruling said.The poll body chief said the group could still appeal the decision before the Supreme Court. Duterte Youth won 3 congressional seats after garnering over 2 million votes in the May polls, but Comelec suspended its proclamation due to pending cases.

The Commission on Elections said Friday its en banc affirmed the cancellation of Duterte Youth’s party-list accreditation.

The Commission on Elections said Friday its en banc affirmed the cancellation of Duterte Youth’s party-list accreditation.

Comelec en banc upholds cancellation of Duterte Youth party-list registration

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Comelec en banc upholds cancellation of Duterte Youth party-list registration

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 29, 2025 10:12 AM PHT

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Updated August 29, 2025 11:32 AM PHT

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Comelec

Duterte Youth

party list

2025 elections

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