Bagong Henerasyon closer to proclamation after dismissal of DQ case

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections has dismissed the disqualification case against the Bagong Henerasyon party-list, paving the way for its proclamation unless an appeal is filed and granted.

In a three-page order issued on Thursday, May 22, the Comelec First Division dismissed the petition as insufficient in form, citing two procedural and documentary lapses.

First, petitioner Russell Stanley Geronimo, a lawyer, failed to personally serve the respondents with a copy of the petition and did not include an affidavit explaining why it was sent via registered mail, the division said.

It said, second, the petitioner failed to attach the Certificate of Nomination-Certification of Acceptance of Nomination.

“Settled is the rule that failure to comply with a mandatory requirement warrants the dismissal of the petition,” the order read.

In a chance interview with reporters on Friday, May 23, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the division did not tackle the merits of the case - centered on the alleged misuse of state resources - as it was dismissed on technical grounds.

He added that there is still no date for the proclamation, as the petitioner has five days to file an appeal.

“Sa limang araw pagkatapos nilang matanggap ang petisyon… ay magiging final and executory ang decision ng Comelec and therefore mapipilitan na ang National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) na mag-utos ng proclamation,” Garcia explained.

[Translation: Five days after they receive the petition, the Comelec's decision will become final and executory, and therefore the National Board of Canvassers will be compelled to order the proclamation.]

The Bagong Henerasyon party-list secured a seat in the midterm elections, with Robert Gerard Lopez Nazal Jr. as its first nominee.

In a statement, the party-list thanked the Commission on Elections for “safeguarding the sanctity” of the electoral process.

“This moment is a testament to the strength of our democratic institutions — that they can be questioned, and yet remain firm, fair, and faithful to the rule of law,” the group said.

“Bagong Henerasyon has always stood for service over the spotlight, and this journey only deepens our commitment to that calling,” it added.