NUPL, youth advocates file petition to cancel Duterte Youth’s registration over red-tagging, election offenses
“We challenge the COMELEC to uphold the sanctity of elections and ensure that impunity does not fester within the very institutions meant to protect the people’s will,”
May 8, 2025
NUPL
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers is a nationwide voluntary association of human rights lawyers in the Philippines, committed to the defense, protection, and promotion of human rights, especially of the poor and the oppressed.

QUEZON CITY – The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) today assisted youth leaders in filing a petition* before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to cancel the registration of Duterte Youth Party-list. The petition cites repeated and malicious red-tagging by Duterte Youth and its chairperson Ronald Cardema as clear violations of COMELEC Resolution No. 11127, which prohibits and penalizes labeling and discrimination as election offenses.

Filed by Rachelle Pagsanjan Junsay, National Coordinator of the Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP); Michael Troy C. Cabangon, PUP Student Regent; and, Francesca Mariae M. Duran, UP Student Regent, the petition demonstrates how Duterte Youth weaponized social media to label legitimate party-list groups and their representatives as “terrorists” and “recruiters of the NPA,” without any proof or due process.

“This is a legal reckoning,” said Atty. Ephraim B. Cortez, NUPL President and lead counsel for the petitioners. “The law is unequivocal: red-tagging during the election period is a punishable election offense. It cannot be tolerated, least of all by groups seeking to sit in Congress and represent the Filipino people.”

The petition catalogs a series of incendiary Facebook posts and livestreams made by Duterte Youth between February and April 2025, where the group accused ACT Teachers Party-list, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan Party-list, and senatorial candidate Liza Maza of communist affiliation without offering any evidence. These reckless accusations, made in the midst of the official campaign period, directly violate COMELEC rules designed to protect electoral integrity and civic participation.

“Red-tagging is not a mere smear tactic. As the Supreme Court has itself acknowledged, red-tagging is a threat to life, liberty, and security,” Atty. Cortez stressed. “Allowing parties like Duterte Youth to continue weaponizing red-tagging erodes democratic space and puts lives at risk.”

The petition calls on COMELEC to immediately issue a show cause order and, after due process, to cancel Duterte Youth’s registration and disqualify it from participating in the 2025 party-list elections.

“We challenge the COMELEC to uphold the sanctity of elections and ensure that impunity does not fester within the very institutions meant to protect the people’s will,” Atty. Cortez added. “This petition is a decisive stand that the ballot must never be a platform for threats, hate, or disinformation.” ###

*Full petition and annexes in PDF are available upon request.

Reference:
NUPL Public Information Office
nupl2007@gmail.com

Read more

Four UST students appeal sanctions over PAF exhibit: NUPL and PILC ask Rector to stay penalties and reverse OSA resolutions

Four UST students appeal sanctions over PAF exhibit: NUPL and PILC ask Rector to stay penalties and reverse OSA resolutions

Raven Kristine Racelis, Ralph Christian Manuel, Mecaella Sean Carl Capalar, and Dex Anderson Frogoso, represented by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and the Public Interest Law Center (PILC), asked the Office of the Rector to reverse and set aside the separate resolutions issued by the UST Office for Student Affairs on October 2. They also sought an urgent stay of their suspensions and all related sanctions while the appeal is pending.

NUPL seeks to keep Gorgonio amparo case in Manila

NUPL seeks to keep Gorgonio amparo case in Manila

NUPL President Atty. Ephraim Cortez speaks outside the Court of Appeals on September 29, 2026, following the filing of a motion seeking reconsideration of the transfer to Cebu of the amparo and habeas data proceedings involving NUPL–Negros Chairperson Atty. Rey Gorgonio and three development workers of the Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG).

US sanctions against the ICC: Imperial power in the service of impunity

US sanctions against the ICC: Imperial power in the service of impunity

Under Trump’s Executive Order No. 14203, the designation subjects the ICC to US financial sanctions that threaten to restrict its access to American banks, technology, and other essential services. Given the United States’ influence over the global financial system, these restrictions could disrupt the Court’s operations, including investigations, witness protection, and even the delivery of assistance and reparations to victims.

PAF’s Thin Skin Is No Ground for Punishing Student Dissent

PAF’s Thin Skin Is No Ground for Punishing Student Dissent

The Philippine Air Force has no problem displaying weapons on a university campus, yet apparently cannot stomach sharp questions protests from students about military operations and civilian casualties. Even the University of Santo Tomas (UST) disciplinary resolution notes that PAF personnel themselves considered the students’ questions valid. What offended them, it seems, was the students’ supposedly rude manner.

Share This