Guanzon: Plea to cancel Duterte Youth's registration might be filed

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said that there might be a petition to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list for the Congress.

After the poll commission’s division voted to cancel Ronald Cardema’s nomination as substitute representative of the party-list, Guanzon said that from what she knows groups are preparing another plea to cancel the party-list’s registration.

“I understand there will be, and we have to hear that petition,” Guanzon told ANC.

She said that among the grounds of the petition will be material misrepresentation which is a violation of the Comelec’s rules.

She added: “I heard that some groups will file a petition to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth, having violated the law and the rules through Mr. Cardema’s filing of certification of nomination when in fact, he is disqualified.”

READ: Original Duterte Youth nominees unwilling, unready for Congress

Espousing violence?

Guanzon also said that Cardema’s “espousing of violence” may be another ground for the nullification of their registration if a commissioner raises it.

Guanzon said that the Duterte youth and Cardema have “no respect at all” at the Comelec as an institution, as indicated by threats she believes came from Cardema’s camp.

The commissioner said that she received text messages, threatening her and her family, including her nephews and nieces.

Guanzon said that she will not take the threats sitting down, noting that she has survived worse people.

“I mean, 170,000 people voted for that party-list group. They would not have sent those threats had they perceived that Cardema was of the same mind, and up to now, Cardema has not publicly denounced that or denied it and told his cohorts to stop it. So I hold him responsible for that,” Guanzon said.

Congress seat for the Duterte youth

The Comelec’s First Division voted 2-0 to grant the petitions seeking the cancellation of Cardema.

“For emphasis, the Commission reiterates its unmistakable conclusion, based on facts of law and jurisprudence, that Cardemaa is not eligible for nomination to represent Duterte Youth in House of Representatives,” the Comelec said.

All five original nominees of Duterte Youth, which won a seat in the House of Representatives in the midterm polls, filed a petition to withdraw their nomination a day before the May 13 elections.

More than 10 petitions have been filed opposing the bid of Cardema to become the substitute-nominee of Duterte Youth.

Cardema has filed an appeal to overturn the Comelec division’s ruling.

Guanzon said that the Comelec may resolve the matter in a month. — Kristine Joy Patag