Cancellation of Duterte Youth party-list registration upheld

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday upheld the ruling that canceled the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list.

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The Comelec, voting 5-1-1, ruled to affirm the June 18 decision of the commission's Second Division canceling the registration of Duterte Youth.

"The Commission finds no cogent reason to depart from or reverse the ruling of the Commission (Second Division)," the Comelec said in a 10-page resolution.

"Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (en banc) resolves to deny the motion for reconsideration. The assailed resolution is hereby affirmed," it further said.

The Comelec pointed out that the Second Division's resolution is well-supported by the evidence on record and is consistent with applicable laws.

The Comelec said that as clearly mandated by law, the duty to publish the required documents for registration lies with the party-list organization.

"This includes full compliance with jurisdictional requirements such as publication and shouldering the costs thereof. These are not mere formalities but essential legal prerequisites that respondent-movant must comply with," the resolution read.