MANILA – Malacañang ordered the National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Ronald Cardema to vacate his post due to his pending petition to substitute his wife as the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Cardema was considered “ipso facto resigned” regardless of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) grant on his petition.
“The petition for substitution of NYC Chairperson Ronald Cardema as first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list, as well as the Comelec’s confirmation that it was timely filed, connotes that he is considered ‘ipso facto resigned’ from his present post,” Panelo said.
“Regardless of the outcome, we deem that Mr. Cardema has already abandoned his present position because his act of filing the petition absolutely reflects his intention to relinquish his office and exposes his desire to serve the government in a different capacity,” he added.
Cardema, a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, recently filed a petition to replace his wife Ducielle Suarez as the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list.
“We understand that Mr. Cardema’s petition has yet to be approved by the Comelec as the body is still currently tackling the procedural and substantive legalities of the same,” he said.
“The Palace therefore requires Mr. Cardema to vacate his office forthwith and turn over all official papers, documents, and properties in his possession to the Office of the President,” added Panelo. /PN
