THE head of the Second Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Friday, May 30, 2025, assured the public that there are no deliberate delays in the resolution of the disqualification cases involving the Duterte Youth party-list.
In an interview, Comelec Second Division Presiding Commissioner Rey Bulay said there is nothing "intentional" in the continued pendency in the resolution of the cases involving Duterte Youth, which placed second in the May 2025 party-list race.
"Given that there have been delays, it is never intentional. It's just that we are flooded with cases that remain pending," said Bulay.
"The sooner that we get this done, the sooner we can resolve everything, the better it is for everybody. We have no intentions of delaying (the resolution)," he added.
Bulay said the resolution of the case has already been drafted with him being the ponente.
"The two other members of the Second Division are still going over and studying the decision," said Bulay.
He said they are subscribing to the pronouncement of Comelec Chairman George Garcia that the case will be resolved before the June 30 deadline.
"The Chairman gave his commitment that we will resolve these issues before July 1," said Bulay.
In 2019, a petition was filed against Duterte Youth for allegedly failing to meet the publication requirements for party-list groups and their nominees.
Prior to the 2025 polls, Duterte Youth was also accused of violating the Comelec's policy against red tagging, bullying, and harassment.
The existence of the twin petitions has prompted the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), to suspend the proclamation of the Duterte Youth party-list during the recent elections.
This is despite Duterte Youth getting 2,338,564 votes in the May 12 polls, and thus being entitled to three seats in the House of Representatives. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)