Comelec junks Duterte Youth appeal, upholds cancelation of registration
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections en banc has denied the Duterte Youth Partylist’s motion for reconsideration, affirming the cancelation of its registration.
Comelec Chair George Garcia confirmed the ruling in a message to Philstar.com.
The Comelec’s Second Division earlier canceled the group’s registration in a case filed five years ago, alleging the partylist failed to submit the requirements for accreditation. The Duterte Youth elevated the case to the full commission after filing a motion for reconsideration.
In a decision released Friday, August 29, the Comelec en banc said it found the motion to be “without merit” and saw no reason to reverse the Second Division’s ruling.
“It is evident that the Motion failed to raise any valid or substantial ground to warrant a reconsideration of the Assailed Resolution,” the commission said.
The en banc decision reaffirmed findings that the Duterte Youth failed to publish required documents for registration, a violation the group argued it had not been informed about.
“It cannot evade responsibility by pointing to the Commission’s silence as legal and moral obligations remain binding regardless,” the ruling read.
The en banc ruling was nearly unanimous. Commissioner Rey Bulay dissented, while Chair Garcia did not participate in the deliberations.
False statements, mass substitution. The Comelec also upheld findings that the Duterte Youth made “untruthful statements” in its petition regarding the eligibility of its nominees.
It further cited the group’s “withdrawal and substitution en masse” of nominees on May 12, 2019, saying the move undermined “the spirit and intent of the partylist system and puts a mockery in the election process.”
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