Junk Ronald Cardema case, Comelec told

MANILA, Philippines — A waste of time.

Poll watchdog Kontra Daya said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is only wasting its time hearing the petitions for disqualification of Ronald Cardema over his application to become substitute-nominee of Duterte Youth party-list group.

Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said Comelec should just deny Cardema’s application as there is clear evidence that he is not eligible to represent the group at the House of Representatives.

“The Comelec has no other logical recourse but to deny the substitution bids of Cardema et al and cancel the accreditation of the party-list group, or at least consider their seat forfeited for lack of any eligible nominee,” he said.

Arao added Cardema’s case is a clear example of what is wrong with the Philippine party-list system.

“It is another wake-up call for Comelec, Congress, Supreme Court and the Filipino people that urgent reforms are indeed needed now,” he said. 

The Comelec’s First Division has conducted public hearings to determine whether Cardema is eligible.