SEVERAL youth groups condemned the Supreme Court’s rejection of a petition that sought to revoke the proclamation of the Duterte Youth Partylist group.

Among the groups that denounced the high court’s decision were the Liberal Youth Philippines, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, the National Union of Students of the Philippines, and the Kabataan Partylist.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago said that Duterte Youth will only silence the youth and sectors that promote transparency and accountability.

“Malinaw na hindi interes ng kabataan ang bitbit ng Duterte Youth, kundi ang interes ng kasalukuyang rehimen na patahimikin ang mga kabataan, estudyante, at lahat ng naniningil ng transparency, accountability sa gitna ng public health at human rights emergencies sa ating bansa,” Elago said.

The youth leaders earlier asked the SC to issue a status quo ante order and writ of preliminary injunction.

They filed the petition following the assumption of Ducielle Cardema as representative of the Duterte Youth group.

The high court said there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Comelec when it issued the certificate of proclamation in favor of Duterte Youth.

The youth groups however said that Duterte Youth is a “fake representative of the youth in Congress,” having supported the red-tagging of some students.