No need for PRRD to justify Cardema reappointment to NYC: Palace

Cardema, a known staunch supporter of Duterte, was first appointed as NYC chairperson on August 23, 2018. (File Photo: National Youth Commission/Facebook)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte need not justify his decision to appoint Ronald Cardema as the commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NYC), Malacañang said on Friday.

Duterte, as the country’s chief executive, has the “sole and exclusive prerogative” to pick his appointees, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press briefing.

“Sang-ayon po sa Saligang Batas ay wala pong kahit sinong pupwedeng mag-kwestiyon sa mga ganyang appointment. Nasa pleasure na po iyan ng Presidente (According to the Constitution, no one can question any presidential appointment. It’s at the pleasure of the President),” Roque said.

Asked if Duterte would reconsider Cardema’s reappointment, Roque said: “Hindi po kinakailangang i-justify ni Presidente ang kaniyang appointments (The President does not need to justify his appointments).”

Cardema, a known staunch supporter of Duterte, was first appointed as NYC chairperson on August 23, 2018.

However, Cardema resigned as NYC chair in May last year to run as a representative of the Duterte Youth party-list group.

He failed to secure a seat at the House of Representatives as he was already 34 years old that year.

Under the law, a youth sector representative must be at least 25 years old but not more than 30 years old.

After being deemed ineligible to represent the Duterte Youth party-list, Cardema returned to public office as NYC commissioner.

Malacañang has yet to release a copy of Cardema’s appointment paper.