Comelec proclaims 3 party-lists to replace Duterte Youth at the House

Commission on Elections. Inquirer file photo.

[Updated Oct. 2, 2025, 8:20 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — Abono, Ang Probinsyano, and Murang Kuryente party-lists will take the last three seats in the House of Representatives, after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) canceled the registration of Duterte Youth.

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia announced on Thursday during a press conference, the same day that the nominees of the three party-lists were proclaimed by the Commission.

“This decision of the Commission and the National Board of Canvassers is a result of the recommendation of our law department as well as the supervisory group in charge of all the aspects of canvassing and proclamation,” Garcia said.

READ: Duterte Youth loses claim to 3 House seats

According to him, the Comelec based its decision on recent cases such as An Waray vs Comelec, with the three seats originally allotted for Duterte Youth given to the party lists that got the most votes among those who did not make the cut in the allocation.

However, Gabriela Women’s Party, which was 54th, was able to get a seat after the Comelec en banc approved a resolution on Sept. 3 increasing the number of party list seats in the House from 63 to 64.

Three more seats became available after the Comelec declared as final and executory on Sept. 30 its decision to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth party list, which had ranked second in the elections.

The petition had claimed that the Comelec en banc approved the registration of Duterte Youth, even though its petition to participate as a party list was not published in at least two newspapers of general circulation, and no proper hearing was held on its application for accreditation.

The Comelec Second Division also cited Duterte Youth for committing prohibited acts under election law, including its lack of bona fide intention to represent the youth sector, advocating violence, and getting assistance from the government.

The decision of the Second Division was later affirmed by the Comelec en banc, who denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Duterte Youth.

The party list later asked the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in order to prevent the Comelec from canceling its registration. However, its cancellation became final after the high court did not issue a TRO within 30 days since the Comelec en banc made its decision. /mr