Duterte Youth nominees told to follow line of succession

MANILA, Philippines — An election lawyer on Monday said the Duterte Youth nominees who are possible winners in the party-list election should take an oath and follow the line of succession or they may be criminally liable under the Revised Penal Code.

“The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine not exceeding P1,000, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who, having been elected by popular election to a public office, shall refuse without legal motive to be sworn in or to discharge the duties of said office,” lawyer Romulo Macalintal said Monday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier said that all Duterte Youth nominees have backed out and Ronald Cardema has filed a substitution petition to fill the vacancy.

But Macalintal pointed out that following the law, the Duterte Youth nominees who are possible winners in the last election should first take their oath. Then, they can resign if they want to.

“But their replacements should follow the line of succession as listed in their manifestation to participate in the party-list system,” Macalintal said.

“These nominees are not only making a mockery of our electoral processes and when they resigned they practically abandoned their office entrusted to them by the electorate,” Macalintal said.

He added that Cardema cannot even substitute for any of these nominees since the period for substitution had expired. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

READ: Substitution period for poll bets over – Comelec