Comelec cancels Duterte Youth party-list registration

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has voted to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list, despite its recent victory securing three seats in the 2025 midterm elections.

The decision, issued by Comelec’s Second Division, resolves a long-pending petition that questioned the legality of the group’s accreditation. 

While the ruling is a major blow to the party-list group, it is not yet final. Duterte Youth, officially registered as Duty to Energize the Republic Through the Enlightenment of the Youth Sectoral Party List Organization, has five days to file an appeal.

The case stemmed from a petition filed by Reeya Beatrice Magtalas, Abigail Aleli Tan, Raainah Punzalan, and Aunell Ross Angcos, who accused Duterte Youth of multiple violations of election laws and procedural requirements.

Comelec found merit in the claim that the group’s registration was void from the beginning due to its failure to comply with mandatory jurisdictional procedures, such as the publication of its petition and the conduct of a public hearing.

The petitioners also raised concerns over alleged false statements in Duterte Youth’s petition, particularly regarding the qualifications of its nominees. 

The poll body noted that the group’s first nominee, Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema, had already been disqualified in 2019 for exceeding the age limit for youth sector nominees.

In addition, Comelec found inconsistencies in the party-list’s representation, as it alternated between claiming to represent the youth and so-called “young professionals.” 

The commission dismissed Duterte Youth’s argument that “young professionals” constituted a distinct sector, asserting instead that the term is inherently part of the youth demographic.

As a result of the cancellation, Duterte Youth is barred from participating in future elections unless the ruling is overturned on appeal. Legal observers expect the group to contest the decision before the Comelec en banc or elevate the matter to the Supreme Court. TRACY CABRERA