The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc affirmed on Friday (Aug. 29) a division ruling canceling the registration of the Duterte Youth Partylist, thus, invalidating the proclamation as one of the winning partylist groups in the May 12 elections.

This was gathered as Comelec Chair George Garcia revealed that the poll body is now investigating 15 contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways to determine whether or not their donations to campaign of candidates are prohibited.

In a 12-page resolution, the Comelec en banc denied the Duterte Youth’s Motion for Reconsideration for a reversal of the Second Division’s ruling and proclamation of the group as a winning partylst candidate last May.

Duterte Youth ranked second among the partylist organizations that won seats in the House of Representatives.

The poll body’s second division upheld the petition seeking to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth for allegedly failing to comply with the requirements of publication and hearing, which are both jurisdictional in character.

The partylist group filed a motion for reconsideration which the en banc rejected after finding no “cogent reason” to overturn the second division’s ruling.

“It is evident that the Motion failed to raise any valid or substantial ground to warrant a reconsideration of the Assailed Resolution. The Assailed Resolution is well supported by the evidence on record and is consistent with applicable law,” the Comelec en banc ruled.

Rival Kabataan Partylist welcomed the poll body’s decision saying that this is just the beginning of a move to cleanse the partylist representation in the Lower House of bogus organizations.

“Lesson learned na ito sa mga politiko; huwag na wag gagamitin ang kabataan para lang makaupo sa pwesto. Wala kayong naloloko,” said Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co.

“Simula pa lang to. Dapat tanggalin na lahat ng pekeng PL nagawa-gawa ng mga dinastiya at negosyo! Pro-Duterte man o Marcos ang mga ito,” the lady solon said.