MANILA — Malacañang has expressed dismay over former National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson Ronald Cardema’s action during the course of the midterm elections.
This after the Palace received information that Cardema still presided over a meeting as NYC chairperson on May 15, three days after he filed a certificate of substitution for the Duterte Youth Party-list.
Cardema is a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, but for Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, this would not have any bearing if a “wrongdoing” is committed during the exercise of the former’s function as government official.
“With respect to being a supporter of the President, as we have already repeatedly said, no allies, no friends, no supporters. If they committed any wrong, [they will not] be tolerated by this government,” said Panelo in a Palace press briefing on Tuesday (May 21).
Panelo said he received a text message informing about Cardema’s action in the government youth body after the election.
With this, the Palace official had no other recourse but to refer this matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“We refer the case of Cardema to the DOJ because we have received reports that despite his filing of a certification of substitution, he presided over a meeting subsequent to that certification,” Panelo said.
“I just talked a while ago to the DOJ Secretary [Menardo Guevarra] and he said he will study the matter [whether to file charges],” he said.
As to the specific case which will be filed against the former NYC Chairperson, the President’s chief legal counsel does not want to speculate, but he is sure that the DOJ will also look after the allegations that Cardema used the NYC as election arm for the Duterte Youth Party-list.
“As I said, I referred that to the DOJ. As a lawyer, I have my own reading of that, but since I already referred it to the DOJ, I will not pre-empt it,” he said.
“Yes, that’s included [alleged using of resources of NYC to promote Duterte Youth],” he added.
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