Duterte Youth Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Amid Comelec Registration Cancellation

MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte Youth party-list has formally requested the Supreme Court to halt the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from enforcing its decision to cancel the group’s registration. The petition, submitted on Wednesday, seeks a temporary restraining order (TRO) against two Comelec resolutions that revoked Duterte Youth’s accreditation.

The initial resolution by the Comelec Second Division on June 18 canceled Duterte Youth’s registration, a ruling later upheld by the Comelec en banc on August 29 following the party-list’s failed motion for reconsideration. The cancellation stems from a 2019 complaint by youth leaders who challenged the legitimacy of Duterte Youth’s registration. They argued that proper procedures, including publication in two general circulation newspapers and a formal hearing, were not observed, as mandated by the Party-list System Act.

Despite this controversy, Duterte Youth secured three seats in Congress after ranking second in the May 2025 elections with over 2.3 million votes. However, its proclamation has been suspended pending resolution of the cases before Comelec.

In their petition, Duterte Youth claims the Comelec actions represent a “material and substantial invasion” of the party-list and undermine the “sovereign will” of millions of voters who chose their representatives in the 20th Congress. The group emphasized the need for “prompt action and speedy judicial intervention” from the Supreme Court to prevent further injury and avoid mootness.

Along with the TRO, Duterte Youth is also asking for a preliminary injunction to maintain the current status quo, barring Comelec from enforcing its cancellation order. Furthermore, the party-list seeks the nullification of Comelec’s resolutions through a certiorari petition, claiming grave abuse of discretion, lack of jurisdiction, and procedural irregularities.

Comelec, in its en banc ruling, cited Duterte Youth’s nominee withdrawals and substitutions in the 2019 elections as actions that violated the intent of the party-list system and election laws. The group was also accused of engaging in prohibited acts, including lacking a genuine intention to represent the youth sector, promoting violence, and receiving government assistance.

Meanwhile, the 55th-ranked party-list in the recent elections urged Comelec to promptly proclaim its victory. Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP), through secretary general Clarice Palce, called on the poll body to expedite their proclamation, underscoring the importance of representing marginalized voices in a legislature “compromised by vested interests.” Palce stated, “We strongly implore the Comelec to not delay any further GWP’s proclamation. We need voices that will echo the demands of the people for accountability, not fake party-lists merely seeking to line their and their favored elites’ pockets.”

The final seat for party-list groups was awarded to Philreca, ranked 54th in the elections, leaving Gabriela and others awaiting confirmation.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Duterte Youth’s petition will be closely watched as it has significant implications on party-list representation and electoral process integrity in the Philippines.