Poll exec hits Cardema’s submission of new set of nominees

Ronald Cardema of the Duterte Youth party-list (PNA Photo)

MANILA — An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday the submission of a new set of nominees by Ronaldo Cardema of the Duterte Youth party-list is another count of material misrepresentation.

Comelec Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon said the latest set of nominees Cardema filed before the Law Department is under oath.

“His new list is under oath. Another count of material misrepresentation,” she said in an interview.

Guanzon noted that the filing of the new nominees by Cardema, who is listed as the first nominee of the group on the new list, showed disrespect to the Comelec

“It shows that Cardema has no respect for the authority of Comelec,” she said.

“He filed that new list a day after our resolution disqualifying him as representative was released,” Guanzon added, noting that she is not discounting the possibility that a petition will be filed against Duterte Youth new nominees.

Also included on the list is Ronald’s wife, Ducielle Marie, the group’s second nominee.

She was the original first nominee of the group but withdrew her nomination together with the four other nominees.

On Monday, the Comelec First Division canceled Cardema’s nomination to represent his group for material misrepresentation.

The Duterte Youth party-list won a seat in the House of Representatives during the May 2019 polls after getting a total of 354,629 votes.