Groups oppose Duterte Youth nominee

MANILA, Philippines — Youth leaders and a poll watchdog yesterday opposed the impending proclamation of Ducielle Cardema as representative of the Duterte Youth party-list group in the House of Representatives.

During a budget hearing last Thursday, Commission on Elections chairman Sheriff Abas said the Comelec issued a certificate of proclamation to Cardema  two weeks ago.

Abas said four of the Comelec’s five commissioners have signed the certificate and they are just waiting for the signature of the remaining one before proclaiming the substitute nominee as a winner in the 2019 party-list election.

“So hopefully, we can release the certificate of proclamation within the week,” he said.

Lawyer Emilio Marañon III  said Cardema should not be proclaimed because her group is not yet even registered as a party-list organization with the Comelec.

“This act by the Comelec is contrary to all its existing rules and regulations and in utter disregard of all applicable legal provisions. This is easily the most unconstitutional act ever done by Comelec in its 80-year history,” he said in a statement.

Marañon represents youth leaders Reeya Magtalas, Abigail Tan, Raainah Punzalan and Aunell Angcos, who earlier filed a petition with Comelec questioning the accreditation of Duterte Youth.

He vowed to contest the proclamation before the Supreme Court as soon as the Comelec releases its decision.

Marañon said they will also file a case before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal to unseat Cardema.

The petitioners alleged that Duterte Youth failed to comply with the constitutional provisions of publication and hearing requirements for party-list groups, thereby making it an unregistered organization, while Cardema is representing a “non-entity.”

Poll watchdog Kontra Daya also questioned the Comelec’s decision, saying while Duterte Youth won enough votes for a House seat, it has a questionable advocacy and track record.

Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao reminded the public that Cardema is the wife of former National Youth Commission chair Ronald Cardema, who “tried and failed to insert himself as the first nominee even if he is clearly unqualified to be a youth representative in terms of age and track record.”

“Having his wife Ducielle take his place only shows how the party-list system has been hijacked to suit the whims of those in power,” he said. – Edu Punay