Rhelyn Harder
- Dingdong Dantes spoke out on social media about NYC Chief Ronald Cardema filing a petition to be a substitute nominee
- Dantes said that if Cardema had intended to run for Congress, he should have resigned earlier
- National Youth Commission should not be tainted with politics as an advocate for the youth
Former commissioner of the National Youth Commission Dingdong Dantes spoke out on social media about NYC Chief Ronald Cardema filing a petition to become a substitute nominee for the Duterte Youth party list group.
“Clearly, if the petition will be granted, parang na-railroad ang democratic process of choosing the rightful representative,” he said.
Clearly, if the petition will be granted, parang na-railroad ang democratic process of choosing the rightful representative.I think we all agree that the young people should never—ever— be disenfranchised, especially in governance.But with the Youth Chief getting into this?Teka.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
In 2014, Dantes took his oath as Commissioner-at-Large for the National Youth Commission that lasted for three years under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
Cardema who was appointed as NYC Commissioner in 2017 recently filed to become a substitute nominee for his wife Ducielle Suarez Cardema. Suarez is the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party list which earned 346,314 votes based on the partial and unofficial results.
In the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) first statement on Thursday, May 16, said that they would not entertain Cardema’s petition because the period for filing of substitutions had already lapsed. But then on Saturday, May 18, the COMELEC clarified that the bid for substitution was still up for the poll body’s resolution.
On Sunday, May 19, Malacanang ordered Cardema to vacate his post as NYC Chair even as the COMELEC had yet to release a decision on his substitution bid.
Ipinaglaban at patuloy na itinataguyod ng mga opisyal at empleyado ng @NYCPilipinas ang karapatan at kakayahan ng kabataang makibahagi sa pamamahala, regardless of regime. Huwag nating hayaang madamay at mabahiran ang importanteng institusyong ito na nangangalaga sa kabataan.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
Because of this news update, Dantes said that if Cardema had the intention to be a Congressman, he should have resigned earlier.
“Kung may balak siyang maging Congressman noong una pa lang, nararapat lang na nag-resign siya bilang NYC Chairman,” Dantes continued. “Pwede bang nagising na lang siya isang araw at nag-decide na trip niya? Maaari kasing nagamit ang ahensya upang magkaroon siya ng unfair advantages noong kampanya. Malinaw din naman ang batas kontra partylist na tumatanggap ng kahit anong support o may koneksyon sa gobyerno.”
Kung may balak siyang maging Congressman noong una pa lang, nararapat lang na nag resign siya bilang NYC Chairman. Pwede bang nagising na lang siya isang araw at nag-decide na trip niya? Maaari kasing nagamit ang ahensya upang magkaroon siya ng unfair advantage noong kampanya.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
Malinaw din naman ang batas kontra sa partylist na tumatanggap ng kahit anong suporta o may koneksyon sa gobyerno.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
He also said that the National Youth Commission should not be tainted with politics since it is the voice and the biggest advocate of Filipino Youth.
“Nakakalungkot na bilang pangunhaing representate ng kabataan ay lumalabas na nakikisali siya sa pagabuso at pag-circumvent sa Party-List system. Gusto man nating isipin na totoo ang kanyang hangarin, marami siyang dapat ipaliwanag kung paanong nag-withdraw lahat ng nominado ng kanilang Party List at sa biglaan niyang pagpasok bilang substitute ng kaniyang asawa na siyang number one nominee. Eto ba ang values na gusto natin ituro sa mga kabataan?”
Nakakalungkot na bilang pangunahing representante ng kabataan ay lumalabas na nakikisali siya sa pagabuso at pag-circumvent sa Party-List system.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
Gusto man nating isipin na totoo ang kanyang hangarin, marami siyang dapat ipaliwanag kung paanong nag-withdraw lahat ng nominado ng kanilang Party List at sa biglaan niyang pagpasok bilang substitute ng kaniyang asawa na siyang number one nominee.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
Sa ating mga bagong mambabatas, please look into the Party-List system. Ipagtanggol at palakasin po sana niyo ang mekanismong nagbibigay espasyo sa mga sektor na marinig ang kanilang mga boses.Wag niyo po sana hayaang masalaula ito ng mga taong uhaw o nalulunod sa kapangyarihan.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
At the end of his message, Dantes said to Cardema: “If you really want to serve the young people, you are already in the best position to do so.”
At sa'yo Mr. Cardema, if you really want to serve the young people, you are already in the best position to do so. Tanungin mo si Chairman Aiza Seguerra, whom i respect so much.
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) May 20, 2019
