Dingdong Dantes blasts Cardema’s ‘abuse, circumvention’ of party-list law
MANILA, Philippines — Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III, a former commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NYC), minced no words to hide his disgust and slam the alleged abuse and circumvention of the party-list law by the incumbent head of the Commission – Ronald Cardema.
Dantes acknowledged the significance of the youth having a representative in Congress, but loathed the ploy Cardema took to secure the position thru the party-list system.
First of all, Dantes, who served as NYC commissioner during the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, said Cardema should have resigned from NYC as soon as he eyed being a congressman.
“Clearly, if the petition will be granted, parang na-railroad ang democratic process of choosing the rightful representative. I think we all agree that the young people should never – ever – be disenfranchised, especially in governance. But with the country’s Youth Chief getting into this? Teka lang,” Dantes said in a Facebook post Monday, May 20.
“Kung may balak siyang maging Congressman noong una pa lang, nararapat lang na nag resign siya bilang NYC Chairman. Pwede bang nagising na lang siya isang araw at nag-decide na trip niya?” he added.
On the eve of May 13, Election Day, Cardema filed a petition for substitution as party-list nominee of the Duterte Youth. But election watchdogs and youth party-list groups questioned the last minute move of Cardema.
READ: Cardema’s bid to be Duterte Youth sub ‘not disqualified’ – Comelec
READ: Party-list race: Comelec asked to reject Cardema as wife’s sub
READ: Palace says Cardema deemed resigned, urges him to vacate NYC post
According to Dantes, Cardema might have had an “unfair advantage” during the campaign season even pointing out that the law prohibits party-list groups from getting any support from government.
“Maaari kasing nagamit ang ahensya upang magkaroon siya ng unfair advantage noong kampanya. Malinaw din naman ang batas kontra sa party-list na tumatanggap ng kahit anong suporta o may koneksyon sa gobyerno,” Dantes said.
“Nakakalungkot na bilang pangunahing representante ng kabataan ay lumalabas na nakikisali siya sa pagabuso at pag-circumvent sa Party-List system,” he added.
Dantes then sought for Cardema’s explanation of his motive as well as the reason behind the withdrawal of all nominees of Duterte Youth.
He further emphasized that if Cardema only truly wants to serve the youth, then being NYC chairman is already the “best position to do so.”
“Gusto man nating isipin na totoo ang kanyang hangarin, marami siyang dapat ipaliwanag kung paanong nag-withdraw lahat ng nominado ng kanilang Party List at sa biglaan niyang pagpasok bilang substitute ng kaniyang asawa na siyang number one nominee. Eto ba ang values na gusto natin ituro sa mga kabataan?” Dantes wrote.
“At sa’yo Mr. Cardema, if you really want to serve the young people, you are already in the best position to do so,” he added.
Clearly, if the petition will be granted, parang na-railroad ang democratic process of choosing the rightful…
Posted by Dong Dantes on Sunday, May 19, 2019
Malacañang on Sunday told Cardema to vacate his post as NYC chair as he was already deemed resigned after he filed the petition for substitution as first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)
