Comelec ‘most likely’ to resolve party-list substitution petitions Monday night

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc will “most likely” resolve petitions for substitution of party-list nominees on Monday night, an official of the poll body said Monday.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the en banc should resolve the petitions before the day of the proclamation of the winning senatorial bets and party-list representatives, which he said could happen on Tuesday.

READ: Comelec sees proclamation of winning Senate bets, party-list reps on Tuesday

“That’s the expectation, kailangan ma-resolve muna ‘yon (before proclamation) kasi sino ipo-proclaim mo kung sakali? Kung hindi siya ma-resolve?” Jimenez said in a press conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

(That’s the expectation, to resolve the issue before the proclamation because who will they proclaim if it’s not resolved?)

Asked if the en banc could decide by Monday night, he said, “most likely.”

Jimenez said the en banc was set to convene at 1 p.m. on Monday.

Among the petitions to be resolved is the petition of National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Ronald Cardema to become the substitute nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list group after his wife, Ducielle Marie Suarez Cardema, and four other nominees backed out.

The Comelec earlier said the application of Cardema had not been disqualified as he was able to file his petition a day before the deadline.

Director Frances Arabe of the Comelec said Cardema filed his application on May 12, 2019. She noted that the deadline for substitution and withdrawal was on Election Day, which was 6 p.m. on May 13.

READ: Cardema’s bid to be Duterte Youth sub ‘not disqualified’ – Comelec