Brilliantes: Cardema substitution as Duterte Youth nominee invalid
MANILA, Philippines — Even former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Sixto Brilliantes believes that the substitution bid of Ronald Cardema to be a nominee of Duterte Youth is invalid.
“Maliwanag na hindi bata yung respondent eh, at kapag sinabi nating bata, it has to be below 30 (It is evident that the respondent is not young. When we say youth, it should be someone below 30),” Brilliantes said in an interview on Monday.
“Kaya pipirmahan ko talaga ito para makita naman ng Comelec na may problema yung kanyang pag substitute niya (I’m signing this so the Comelec realizes that it has a problem),” he added, referring to the 18-page petition that Millennials PH filed before the Commission on Monday.
READ: Petition filed vs Cardema’s party-list nomination
Brilliantes, election-lawyer Romulo Macalintal, and Emilio Marañon III were the lawyers behind the call to cancel the nomination of Cardema.
Brillantes said they are willing to bring the case up to the Supreme Court.
He emphasized that the Comelec should understand that it cannot allow someone to assume the post who is not a member of the youth. He also said that “youth” and “young professional” are not synonymous.
READ: Lawyer: Cardema represents ‘young professionals’ not youth sector
Under the party-list law, one should be between the ages of 24 and 30 years old to represent the youth sector in Congress. Cardema is 34. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
READ: Guanzon to oppose Cardema substitution as Duterte Youth nominee
