Duterte Youth, Bagong Henerasyon proclamation postponed

The proclamation of Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list groups was postponed by the Commission on Election Monday.

During the proclamation ceremony held by the Comelec at Manila Hotel Tent City on Monday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia formally announced the suspension of the two party-list groups’ proclamation due to the pending cases filed against them before the poll commission.

“In its recommendation dated May 17, 2025, the supervisory committee has recommended the suspension of the proclamation of Duterte Youth Partylist and BH Bagong Henerasyon due to the following pending petitions filed before the Clerk of the Commission,” Garcia said.

“Considering the serious allegations raised in the above petitions which involved grave violation of election laws, the National Board of Canvassers resolves to suspend the proclamation of Duterte Youth Party-list and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list until the speedy and judicious resolution of the petitions filed before the Clerk of Commission,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Garcia said that there are two party-list groups that will not be proclaimed during the official ceremony and explained that the Comelec will resolve the pending cases against them first since they have enough time to do so given that the term of newly-elected officials would start on June 30 or more than a month from now.

He did not mention the specific party-list groups earlier, but noted that the two party-list groups won three and one seats.

Injustice

In separate statements, Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon party-list groups decried the suspension of their proclamation as grave injustice.

“A few hours before the proclamation of all party-list congressman today, Comelec informed the Duterte Youth party-list that it will temporarily suspend the proclamation of our three congressmen-elect. We are elected by more than 2.3 million Filipinos but are currently being derailed deliberately by Comelec,” Duterte Youth party-list said in a statement.

Duterte Youth party-list also said that it should not be faulted that the Comelec is yet to decide on a 2019 petition questioning its failure to file a petition to file registration as party-list group, saying that the poll body would not have allowed them to run in 2019, 2022, and 2025 elections if they were fraudulent.

“It is not the fault of the Duterte Youth party-list if the Comelec did not dismiss that “hao shiao case” (bogus) after its the last hearing in 2019, and now Comelec is trying to subvert the votes of the Filipino People by delaying a proclamation scheduled today,” Duterte Youth added.

“This is definitely a grave abuse of discretion [on the part of the Comelec].  Hayaan ninyo kami umupo, maging [parte ng] oposisyon, para hindi naman maging rubber stamp ang Kongreso,” Duterte Youth added.

Bagong Henerasyon party-list, on the other hand, said the Comelec’s short notice of suspended proclamation smacks of power tripping.

“Today, without warning and without any prior notice, the Comelec abruptly announced the suspension of our proclamation as a duly elected party-list in the House of Representatives. No explanation, no copy of any complaint, no summons, no opportunity to respond,” Bagong Henerasyon party-list said.

“Let us be clear: Bagong Henerasyon has not received, seen, or even been informed of this supposed [pending] case [against us]. How can we be held to account for an accusation that remains invisible—unnamed, unheard, and unexplained? And more importantly: how can 319,803 Filipinos be silenced so easily?” Bagong Henerasyon party-list added.

Bagong Henerasyon then cited Comelec rules which provide that proclamation will proceed unless a case is resolved with finality.

“In this case—where no complaint has even been furnished to us, much less ruled upon—how can a suspension be justified? We ask not just for fairness, but for respect—for the vote, for the voice, for the will of the Filipino people," Bagong Henerasyon added.

"Bagong Henerasyon stands ready to respond to any complaint, anytime, anywhere. But until such a complaint is properly disclosed and due process is afforded, the suspension of our proclamation—and the disenfranchisement of 319,803 voters—is not only unjust. It is unconstitutional,” it added.

For the 20th Congress, Garcia said there will be 63 seats in the House of Representatives for party-list representatives.

The 63 seats, Garcia said, will be occupied by representatives from 54 party-list groups since three party-list groups will have three representatives each, and another three party-list groups with two representatives each since they exceeded the initial threshold of 2% of the votes cast for the party-list race as provided by law and the Supreme Court decision on Banat v. Comelec case.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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