Malacañang orders NYC Chair Cardema to vacate post

Malacañang on Sunday ordered National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson Ronald Cardema to vacate his post, as he is set to substitute his wife as the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list.

"The petition for substitution of NYC Chairperson Ronald Cardema as first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list, as well as the Commission on Elections' confirmation that it was timely filed (May 12), connotes that he is considered ipso facto resigned from his present post," Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"Regardless of the outcome, we deem that Mr. Cardema has already abandoned his present position because his act of filing the petition absolutely reflects his intention to relinquish his office and exposes his desire to serve the government in a different capacity," the statement read.

Cardema, a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, was appointed NYC Commissioner in August 2017, representing Luzon.

However, he has filed to replace his wife, Ducielle Suarez, as the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list, which scored 346,314 votes or 1.25% of the total votes cast, according to partial and unofficial results as of 3:09 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it will no longer entertain Cardema's bid for substitution, as the period for filing has already lapsed.

It clarified on Saturday, however, that the bid for substitution is still up for the poll body's resolution as the petition for substitution was dated May 12 instead of the earlier reported May 16.

"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," the Comelec said.

Still, Malacañang on Sunday ordered Cardema to vacate his post, even as Comelec has yet to release a decision on his bid to substitute his wife.

"We understand that Mr. Cardema's petition has yet to be approved by the COMELEC as the body is still currently tackling the procedural and substantive legalities of the same," said Panelo.

"The Palace therefore requires Mr. Cardema to vacate his office forthwith and turn over all official papers, documents, and properties in his possession to the Office of the President," he added.

To recall, Cardema in February drew flak from the public as he urged Duterte to revoke the scholarships of students who join anti-government rallies and protest actions.

"The President shall soon appoint a person who can advance the genuine interests and welfare of our country's youth as the new chairperson of the NYC," Panelo said Sunday. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News