By Jay Dar
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has once again cast a shadow over Philippine democracy by suspending the proclamation of the Duterte Youth Party-list, a group that secured a resounding mandate of 2.3 million votes and three House seats in the 2025 elections. As a supporter who voted for their platform of disciplined governance and anti-communist advocacy, this decision reeks of political bias and undermines the voice of millions of Filipinos who chose them to represent the youth and the nation’s future.
Comelec’s justification hinges on “pending petitions” alleging violations of election laws, including claims that Duterte Youth’s registration was invalid and that its nominees misrepresented their qualifications. However, these allegations are neither new nor substantiated. The same accusations were dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2020, and Comelec itself permitted the group to run in 2019, 2022 and 2025. If the group’s registration were truly flawed, why did Comelec certify them thrice? The timing of this suspension — moments before their rightful proclamation — suggests a deliberate effort to disenfranchise voters and stifle opposition voices in Congress.
Duterte Youth’s leadership has consistently adhered to legal processes. For instance, when former chair Ronald Cardema faced disqualification in 2019 over age requirements, the party-list complied and replaced him with eligible nominees. The current nominees, including Drixie Mae Cardema and Berlin Lingwa, meet all qualifications, yet Comelec now weaponizes bureaucratic delays from a five-year-old petition to justify this suspension.
The Comelec’s inconsistency is glaring. While Duterte Youth faces suspension, other party-lists with similar or worse controversies — like Akbayan and Tingog — were swiftly proclaimed. This double standard exposes a systemic bias against groups challenging the political establishment. Duterte Youth’s platform, which prioritizes national security, youth empowerment and anti-corruption, clearly threatens entrenched interests that prefer a rubber-stamp Congress.
Moreover, the petitioners’ motives are questionable. The 2019 case was revived by political rivals like Kabataan Party-list, whose representative Renee Co openly celebrated the suspension with the mocking remark “Dasurv!” This isn’t about upholding election laws — it’s about silencing dissent.
The Duterte Youth Party-list has vowed to challenge this suspension before the Supreme Court and rightly so. The Comelec’s decision violates the constitutional principle that elected representatives derive their authority from the people, not bureaucrats. By delaying the proclamation, Comelec effectively nullifies the votes of 2.3 million Filipinos, many of whom are young voters disillusioned by traditional politics.
This issue transcends partisan lines. It is about safeguarding electoral integrity and ensuring that institutions like Comelec serve as impartial arbiters, not tools for political vendettas. If the allegations against Duterte Youth were truly grave, why wait until after the elections to act? The answer is clear: this is a last-ditch effort to block a popular, reformist bloc from reshaping Congress.
The suspension of Duterte Youth’s proclamation is a direct assault on democracy. It undermines public trust in elections and rewards underhanded tactics by political opponents. To the Comelec: resolve these petitions swiftly and transparently. To the Supreme Court: uphold the mandate of millions. And to the Filipino people: remain vigilant against those who seek to hijack our democracy.
Duterte Youth earned their seats through sheer voter support. Their exclusion from Congress would be a victory for elitism and a betrayal of the youth’s aspirations. Let them take their seats, let them serve, and let the people’s will — not bureaucratic maneuvering — determine our nation’s course.