Comelec issues gag order on Cardema disqualification case

During the hearing of the case, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, a member of the Comelec 1st Division, directed Cardema, who was with his legal counsel George Garcia, from granting interviews regarding the case pending before the poll body. (File Photo By Elmer B. Domingo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday ordered parties involved in the disqualification cases of former National Youth Commission (NYC) chair and Duterte Youth party-list group’s first nominee Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema to refrain from speaking about the matter in public.

During the hearing of the case, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, a member of the Comelec 1st Division, directed Cardema, who was with his legal counsel George Garcia, from granting interviews regarding the case pending before the poll body.

“Please refrain from giving interviews because we are now holding hearings so the case is already sub judice,” Guanzon said.

She also ordered petitioners Raoul Danniel Manuel of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, Paula Sabrine Janer of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, and Raainah Punzalan of the Youth Act Now Against Tyranny, not to issue any statement regarding their pleas. They are represented by lawyer Emil Marañon.

The sub judice rule restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to judicial proceedings to avoid prejudging the case.

In separate petitions, the petitioners are questioning the qualifications of Cardema, 34, to represent Duterte Youth, which is a youth sector party-list.

On the other hand, Garcia noted that there was no misrepresentation on the part of his client.

“There was no misrepresentation because Duterte Youth is a group that aims to represent the youth and young professionals. It intends to represent those two sectors. And the respondent belongs to the professional sector,” he said.

Marañon, meanwhile, noted that based on Cardema’s public pronouncements, he has always talked about representing the youth and not the professional.

“His public pronouncements, their by-laws, records, and submissions were all speaking as to the youth sector.

He never spoke as Duterte Youth representing professionals until his eligibility was put into question,” he said.

The Comelec reported a total of 38 out of the 51 winning party-list organizations have already received their Certificates of Proclamation (COPs) including Bayan Muna, Patrol, Kabayan, Abono, Amin, Bagong Henerasyon, TUCP, Diwa, A Teacher, AGAP, CWS, Bahay, TGP, RAM, Dumper PTDA, Probinsyano Ako, Manila Teachers, Philreca, and APEC.

RECOBODA, Ako Padayon Pilipino, Kabataan, Marino, Galing sa Puso, 1 Pacman, Ako Bisaya, An Waray, Ako Bicol, Ang Probinsyano, Tingog, Sagip, LPGMA, OFW, ACT-CIS, Alona, Kalinga, Abang Lingkod, and BHW also got their COPS.

The COP is a requirement by the House of Representatives in allowing its new members to assume their posts.