MANILA – The Duterte Youth party-list admitted that their first nominee, Drixie Mae Suarez-Cardema, is not a Cardema, but opted to use the said surname for “name recall.”
According to Duterte Youth chairperson Ronald Cardema, Drixie is actually the sister of his wife, Ducielle, and is surnamed Suarez, but opted to use Cardema as her “political name.”
“In the start of every Congress, congressmen and senators formally request the House and the Senate for the political names that they prefer to use for the entire Congress because name recall is key to Philippine politics,” Ronald said in a statement.
He added that other lawmakers also do this, such as Cavite’s Cong. Lani Mercado Revilla, whose real name is Jesusa Hernandez-Bautista, Bataan’s Cong. Geraldine Roman who is Gerardo Roman, and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who is Jose Pimentel Ejercito.
Ronald issued the statement as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) initiates a motu proprio investigation regarding claims that Drixie is not utilizing her true surname.
Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia previously stated that the electoral body will investigate the allegations concerning Drixie’s name and will issue a show cause order to allow her the opportunity to present her explanation.
Social media posts have raised concerns about Drixie’s use of the Cardema surname, given that she is a Suarez, while it is her sister Ducielle who is a Cardema by marriage.
The Duterte Youth party-list emerged as one of the victors in the midterm elections; however, its proclamation has been delayed due to petitions for its disqualification./PN
