Comelec Weighs Duterte Youth Party-list Case
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is still deliberating on the Duterte Youth Party-list case, describing the issue as complicated and not straightforward. The poll body’s hesitance comes while it has already dismissed the disqualification case against Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list.
Both Duterte Youth and BH secured seats in the 2025 mid-term elections party-list race. However, their proclamation remains on hold as Comelec reviews their respective cases. This delay highlights the complexity of the Duterte Youth Party-list issue and contrasts with the swift dismissal in the BH case.
Understanding the Duterte Youth Party-list Case
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia explained the challenges surrounding the Duterte Youth case in an interview on May 23. “‘Yun po kasing sa Duterte Youth, hindi po ganoon kadali, kumplikado, dahil hindi po technicality ang issue doon,” he said, emphasizing that the matter goes beyond mere technicalities. The core question is whether the party-list should have been accredited from the beginning.
The petition against Duterte Youth was filed in September 2019 by a group of youth leaders. They argued that the registration of Duterte Youth was invalid because it was approved without a proper hearing, violating the 1987 Constitution and the Party-List System Act (Republic Act No. 7941).
The case revolves around the allegation that Duterte Youth misrepresented the group it claims to represent. Despite this, Duterte Youth Party-list Chairman Ronald Cardema, the party’s former House representative until his nomination was revoked, insists that since the party has already held seats in the 18th and 19th Congresses, suspending their proclamation for the 20th Congress is unwarranted.
Technicalities in the Bagong Henerasyon Case
Unlike Duterte Youth, the BH Party-list faced a straightforward dismissal due to procedural issues. Garcia pointed out that the BH case involved clear technical deficiencies such as failure to pay filing fees, lack of verification, and not providing copies of the petition to respondents. These lapses meant that Comelec had no jurisdiction to decide on the matter.
“Bakit mo pasasagutin kung may technicality din lang naman, kung talaga namang dismissible yung kaso?” Garcia questioned. He added that invalid petitions with procedural faults do not warrant further decision-making by the poll body.
Upcoming Decisions and Implications
The Commission recognizes the importance of thoroughly examining the Duterte Youth Party-list case due to its substantive nature. The decision will have significant implications for party-list accreditation processes and the representation of youth sectors in Congress.
For now, both party-lists await Comelec’s final ruling that will clarify their status and eligibility to participate in the 20th Congress.
For more news and updates on Duterte Youth Party-list, visit Filipinokami.com.