Comelec suspends Duterte Youth’s proclamation over legal challenges

A lawyer for petitioners seeking to cancel Duterte Youth's registration is urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the party-list's proclamation until their unresolved five-year-old petition is resolved.

Emil Marañon III, representing youth leaders now supported by Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa (KTAP), argued that Duterte Youth did not meet required publication and public hearing requirements under Philippine laws.

Comelec announced on Monday, May 20, that it is suspending the proclamation of Duterte Youth due to a pending case filed in 2019 by youth leaders who argue that the group's registration should be nullified.

Despite winning its third consecutive term with 5.57% of total votes cast for the party-list race on May 12, 2025, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the decision to suspend Duterte Youth’s proclamation was based on discretion due to unresolved legal challenges.

Duterte Youth has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order against Comelec's decision to suspend its proclamation and is questioning the constitutionality of the NBOC's actions.

The party-list group, represented by former Rep. Ronald Cardema, argues that they were only informed about their exclusion from the proclamation at noon on Tuesday, May 20, just before it was made public.

Petitioners Reeya Beatrice Magtalas, Abigail Aleli Tan, Raainah Punzalan and Aunell Ross Angcos argue that Duterte Youth's registration is void due to non-compliance with publication and hearing requirements, as well as making untruthful statements about the ages of their nominees.