By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to issue a show cause order (SCO) against incumbent Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Drixie Mae Cardema over the allegation that “Cardema” is not her real surname.
According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, they will ask Drixie Mae to explain the allegation circulating on social media.
“On social media, she is being accused of using a different family name, not her real family name. We just want to know the truth,” Garcia said in an interview Thursday.
Social media posts alleged that Drixie Mae’s real last name is Suarez and not Cardema.
In her Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination (CONA) for the May 12 elections, Drixie Mae’s declared full name is “Drixie Mae Suarez Cardema.”
Garcia said the issuance of an SCO is being done motu proprio to give the party-list group’s first nominee a chance to explain her side.
“We want to give her a proper venue to answer allegations officially and formally,” he said.
Garcia added that Drixie Mae may be found liable for an election offense if proven that she made a false declaration in her CONA.
“If found lying, that can be a perjury case and an election offense. That is what we want to determine,” he said.
Drixie Mae is the sister of Ducielle Cardema, wife of Duterte Youth leader Ronald Cardema.
