Comelec affirms cancellation of Duterte Youth registration

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

Voting 5-1-1, the Commission en banc affirmed the decision of its Second Division canceling the group’s registration on June 18.  (Arianne Lacanilao/PCI Photo)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has canceled the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list.

Voting 5-1-1, the Commission en banc affirmed the decision of its Second Division canceling the group’s registration on June 18.

“After a careful perusal of the records of this case, the Commission (En banc) finds no cogent reason to depart from or reverse the ruling of the Commission (Second Division),” read the 10-page ruling Friday.

In denying the motion for reconsideration, the poll body noted how the Second Division delved into the evidence on record and found they are consistent with applicable laws.

The Comelec said there is no prescriptive period in the cancellation of registration of party-list organizations.

“This makes it possible for the Commission to prevent the misuse and abuse of the party-list system and guarantees that only those qualified and genuine sectors benefit from it,” it added.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the ruling is appealable.

“The next recourse is for the respondent to file a petition before the Supreme Court within 30 days,” he said in an interview.

In the May 2025 midterm polls, the Duterte Youth received 2,338,564 votes which entitled the group to three seats in the House of Representatives.

However, the party-list was not proclaimed by the National Board of Canvassers due to pending cases.

Several groups, including Gabriela Youth, Anakbayan and Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa, urged the Comelec to disqualify the Duterte Youth party-list from the 2025 midterm elections and the party-list system, claiming “misrepresentation” of the youth sector.

One of the petitioners pointed out that the party-list system aims to be a voice for marginalized sectors and should not be a “backdoor” for political dynasties.