Not only has Duterte Youth Chairman Ronald Cardema proclaimed himself incoming congressman – he is already rubbing elbows with other party-list lawmakers in the next 18th Congress.

On Tuesday, June 4, Cardema joined the meeting of the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc (PCFI) at the Batasang Pambansa.

This happened a few hours ahead of the Commission on Elections granting his petition for substitution as the party-list group’s nominee. (READ: Duterte Youth’s Cardema already proclaims himself congressman on Facebook) 

Incoming PCFI president and 1-Pacman Represenative Mikee Romero defended Cardema’s presence, saying the bloc is merely recognizing Duterte Youth as one of the victors in the May 13 party-list elections. 

“Unang-una, dapat siya ang nagde-defend sa sarili niya (First of all, he should be the one to defend himself). But as the leader of the party-list coalition, based on the Comelec, Duterte Youth was proclaimed as one of the 61 winners of the 2019 party-list elections. In doing so, we have acknowledged Duterte Youth as a bona fide member of the 18th Congress,” said Romero.

He said Duterte Youth has also signified its intention to join the PCFI in the next 18th Congress.

Cardema previously filed a petition for substitution as Duterte Youth party-list nominee on the eve of elections on May 12. Cardema filed the petition after all 5 of the party-list group’s nominees withdrew from the party-list race. (READ: [ANALYSIS] The dangerous Cardema precedent)  

Despite all controversies hounding Cardema’s petition, the poll body ultimately allowed him to become a congressman – despite his being over 30 years old, the supposed maximum age for youth representatives. – Rappler.com