Cardema quits Duterte Youth nomination ‘to sacrifice myself for our party-list’

In this file photo, Ronald Cardema became emotional during a press conference on August 17, 2019, saying that his wife and his father are in the hospital. Cardema slammed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon for “playing the victim,” saying that the members of the Duterte Youth party-list group were the real victims. INQUIRER PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Ronald Cardema has formally withdrawn his nomination as representative of pro-administration party-list Duterte Youth and said his move was a “personal sacrifice.”

In his Notice of Withdrawal dated September 13, Cardema cited the alleged “public harassment” of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon as the reason behind his withdrawal.

Guanzon, who posted on Twitter a copy of Cardema’s withdrawal on Monday, called the former head of the National Youth Commission “stupid” for pinning the blame on her.

“Read Carema’s notice of withdrawal under Oath. Ako pa rin daw ang dahilan. Stupid,” she wrote.

https://twitter.com/commrguanzon/status/1173439832602734600

On August 5, Comelec disqualified Cardema when it canceled his nomination as representative of Duterte Youth as the party-list law requires youth representatives to be from 25 to 30 years old.

Cardema, 34, appealed the ruling.

READ: Comelec cancels Cardema’s nomination bid for Duterte Youth
READ: Cardema cries extortion; all for publicity, says poll exec

Cardema said his withdrawal is meant to protect Duterte Youth party-list, which earned a seat in Congress in the May 2019 elections, and allow the proclamation of other nominees of the group.

“(W)ith all humility I withdraw from my nomination to sacrifice myself for our party-list so that the Comelec can immediately release the Certificate of Proclamation of the Comelec-approved succeeding nominee and to give justice to the votes of 350,000 Filipinos whom we desire to immediately serve with their needed medical assistance, requested patriotic projects, and activities for nation-building,” he said.

Cardema earlier asked President Rodrigo Duterte’s intervention after accusing Guanzon of extortion.

The poll commissioner, who has been vocal about her opposition to Cardema’s nomination, had denied Cardema’s bribery claims and accused him of being behind the death threats against her and her family.

READ: Guanzon: Cardema is greedy for kicking out wife to be party-list rep

In a statement, Comelec confirmed receiving Cardema’s withdrawal notice, adding that it will study the submission and will, in due time, “formally inform the public of its actions, if any, moving forward.”

The poll body has yet to issue a certificate of proclamation to the Duterte Youth party-list due to Cardema’s pending appeal on his qualification. /kga