Ronald Cardema insists on eligibility to represent Duterte Youth

MANILA, Philippines — Disqualified Duterte Youth nominee Ronald Cardema has insisted that he is eligible to represent the party-list group in the House of Representatives.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s OneNews on Tuesday, Cardema reiterated that the group is representing not only the youth sector but young professionals as well.

“Duterte Youth has been registered not only as a youth group but also as a multi-sectoral party since last year. We are advocating for the youth and professionals,” he said.

On Aug. 5, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division cancelled the certificate of nomination and acceptance of Cardema, 34, as first nominee of the party-list group since he is too old to represent the youth sector.

Under the law on party-list system, youth representatives must be 25 to 30 years old.

Cardema is the group’s president, secretary general and chairman.

He said he is willing to give way to the second nominee, his wife Duciele Marie, to ensure that Duterte Youth will be able to assume a House seat.

Cardema also maintained that Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon had asked him for political favors in exchange for the approval of the group’s accreditation.

Cardema claimed that the poll commissioner demanded the appointment of a lawyer as a regional trial court judge in Iloilo.

Guanzon has dismissed Cardema’s allegation as a ploy to intimidate her and force her to inhibit from his case.

Last week, Malacañang rejected Cardema’s call to support him in his fight against Guanzon, saying President Duterte does not meddle in issues that do not concern the Palace.