MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has canceled the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list.

In a 5-1-1 vote, the Commission en banc affirmed the Second Division’s June 18 ruling that ordered the cancellation.

“After a careful perusal of the records of this case, the Commission (En banc) finds no cogent reason to depart from or reverse the ruling of the Commission (Second Division),” the Comelec said in its 10-page ruling issued Friday.

The poll body denied the group’s motion for reconsideration, noting that the Second Division thoroughly examined the evidence and found them consistent with applicable laws.

Comelec emphasized that there is no prescriptive period for canceling the registration of party-list organizations.

“This makes it possible for the Commission to prevent the misuse and abuse of the party-list system and guarantees that only those qualified and genuine sectors benefit from it,” the ruling added.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the decision can still be appealed.

“The next recourse is for the respondent to file a petition before the Supreme Court within 30 days,” he said in an interview.

In the May 2025 midterm elections, the Duterte Youth garnered 2,338,564 votes, which would have entitled the group to three seats in the House of Representatives. However, the National Board of Canvassers withheld its proclamation due to pending cases.

Several youth groups, including Gabriela Youth, Anakbayan, and Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa, earlier petitioned the Comelec to disqualify Duterte Youth from the elections, citing “misrepresentation” of the youth sector.

One of the petitioners argued that the party-list system is meant to amplify the voices of marginalized sectors and should not serve as a “backdoor” for political dynasties. (PNA)