Ronald Cardema, chairman of the Duterte Youth Party-list, has pointed fingers at Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia, blaming him for triggering President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent call for the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries.
Speaking at the Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery on Friday, May 23, Cardema accused Garcia of engaging in “politicking,” which he believes angered the President and led to the sweeping resignation request.
“You were the one who did politicking before the President got angry,” Cardema declared in Filipino, addressing Garcia directly. He expressed outrage over Comelec’s recent suspension of Duterte Youth’s proclamation as a winning party-list for the 2025 mid-term elections—a decision Cardema attributed to Garcia’s alleged bias and political maneuvering.
“Ano ang sinabi ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos? Ayaw na ng tao ng politicking, gusto ng action (What did President Marcos say? The people are tired of politicking; they want action),” Cardema emphasized, quoting the President’s earlier remarks.
He went on to challenge Garcia to submit his resignation as a sign of solidarity with the Cabinet officials who were asked to step down. Cardema insisted that even though Comelec is a constitutional body and not part of the executive branch, Garcia should still honor the spirit of Marcos’ call.
Comelec had earlier clarified that Chairman Garcia was not included in the resignation directive because he heads an independent constitutional commission. However, Cardema countered by citing Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Marilyn Yap as an example, claiming she had stepped down in line with the President’s directive.
“Bakit di mo samahan? Bakit di ka manindigan sa wisdom ng nag-appoint sa’yo (Why didn’t you join her? Why not respect the wisdom of the one who appointed you)?” Cardema asked.
Yap later issued a statement clarifying that she had not resigned, contrary to Cardema’s assertion.