KMP hails cancellation of Duterte Youth’s registration: ‘Long overdue’

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos (left) and Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo. (Photo from INQUIRER.net / FAITH ARGOSINO)

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has welcomed what it described as the “long overdue” decision of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Second Division to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list.

KMP asserts that the Gabriela Women’s Party is more deserving of the seat.

The Comelec announced on Wednesday that its second division voted 2-1 in favor of canceling the registration of the Duterte Youth.

The party-list ranked second in the 2025 midterm elections with over 2 million votes.

READ: Comelec 2nd Division cancels Duterte Youth party-list’s registration

In a statement on Thursday, the KMP described the development as “a victory for the democratic aspirations of the Filipino people and a step forward in upholding the integrity of the party-list system.”

The farmers’ group emphasized that the party list was originally intended to amplify the voices of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors in the House of Representatives, and “not to serve as a backdoor for traditional politicians and political opportunists.”

“The cancellation of the registration [of] Duterte Youth is a clear proof that the people can prevail against fraud and manipulation,” said KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos.

“Duterte Youth has never been a true representative of the youth, especially not of the oppressed like farmers,” Ramos recalled.

“It was established to serve the interests of the Duterte faction and its militaristic agenda and is an irresponsible abuse of power,” he pointed out.

Calls for Gabriela’s proclamation

The KMP urged the Comelec to give Duterte Youth’s seat to the Gabriela Women’s Party instead.

The group said Gabriela has long been fighting for the rights of farmers, workers, women, and the poor.

The KMP told the poll body that Gabriela “has a proven track record of legislative advocacy, grassroots work, and principled leadership, and its rightful representation in Congress must not be denied any longer.”

“Now that justice has caught up with them (referring to Duterte Youth), we call on the Comelec to correct another injustice by confirming the seat of the Gabriela Women’s Party—a legitimate voice of women and peasants,” Ramos said.

READ: 53 party list winners proclaimed today

Gabriela failed to secure a seat in the 20th Congress after it ranked 55th in the 2025 midterm elections. /apl