Comelec clarifies: Youth Commission chair’s bid to sub as Duterte Youth nominee still up for resolution

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday said the bid of National Youth Commission chairperson Ronald Cardema to replace his wife, Ducielle Suarez, as the first nominee of Duterte Youth party-list is still up for the poll body's resolution.

This was clarified by Comelec Director Frances Arabe hours after the resumption of the canvassing of votes in Pasay City.

"Hindi pa. Let's wait for the en banc resolution," Arabe told reporters.

This came after, the Comelec, on Thursday, said that it will not entertain Cardema's bid as the period as the period for substitution has already lapsed. 

"On the petition filed by Ronald Cardema of the Duterte Youth, we would just like to correct the information given yesterday that the filing of petition for substitution is dated May 12, 2019 so it was filed before election day not on May 16," Arabe said.

"The deadline for substitution and withdrawal is on the day of election before the close of voting... on May 13, 6 o'clock p.m. is the deadline," she said.

On its Facebook profile, Duterte Youth describes itself as a defender of President Rodrigo Duterte, the youth and the nation. Likewise, it also vowed to crush the criminals.

Arabe said the Commission en banc is set to release its resolution on the matter within the day. — MDM, GMA News