Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has cancelled the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list group for failing to meet the requirements of publication and public hearing. "The Commission Second Division canceled the registration of Duterte Youth by a vote of 2-1," Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ruling stemmed from a 2019 case filed by four youth leaders challenging Duterte Youth's registration for failing to comply with publication and hearing processes, which are required under the 1987 Constitution and the Party-list System Act. The 25-page decision, promulgated on Wednesday, stated, "Wherefore, premises considered, the Petition dated 03 September 2019 filed by Reeya Beatric Magtalas, Abigail Aleli Tan, Raainah Punzalan, and Aundell Ross Angcos is hereby granted." It further added, "The Petition for Registration of Duty to Energize the Republic through the enhancement of the Youth Sectoral Partylist organization, also known as Duterte Youth Party-list, is cancelled."
The Second Division also highlighted issues beyond the non-compliance with required processes, noting the group's "back and forth switching" of nominees. They stated that such actions, although technically within bounds, undermine the spirit and intent of the party-list system and mock the election process, ultimately violating election-related laws, rules, and regulations.
The division further remarked that the timing and scale of these last-minute changes "violates the principle of transparency and fair representation and deprives the electorate the opportunity to make informed choices." Despite the ruling, Garcia mentioned that the group has the option to appeal the decision. "Although that was the decision of the Comelec division, the party-list still has a remedy. They can file a motion for reconsideration so that the Commission en banc can resolve it," he said.
He also noted that the ruling will become final and executory after five days unless a motion for reconsideration is filed.
