The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has ordered Duterte Youth Partylist first nominee Rep. Drixie Mae Suarez Cardema to explain her use of the surname “Cardema” in her Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
The issue surfaced after it was confirmed that Drixie’s legal surname is Suarez, not Cardema.
Drixie is the sister of former Duterte Youth representative Ducielle Cardema, who is married to Ronald Cardema, the current chairman of the Duterte Youth Partylist.
Earlier, Ronald Cardema defended the use of the name, stating it was merely a political name.
COMELEC Chairman George Garcia said the commission agreed to require an explanation through a formal letter instead of a show cause order.
Garcia emphasized that the matter must be addressed and resolved by the COMELEC Law Department.
He assured the public that the investigation would be fair, impartial, and just.
