Malacañang warns public against party-list using Marcos Jr.’s name

BAGUIO CITY – Malacañang has clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not associated with the party-list group using his name, PBBM o Pilipinas Babangon Muli Party List.

Palace Press Officer, Undersecretary Claire Castro, emphasized that the group has no connection to President Marcos Jr. She responded to concerns raised by lawyer Jess Christian Ramirez, who filed a petition with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on 7 March 2025, to disqualify PBBM. Ramirez argued that the party-list could mislead voters into believing it had ties to the President.

Ramirez further pointed out that the party-list may be exploiting its registration for political and financial gain.

In his petition, Ramirez highlighted that the PBBM party-list registered with Comelec on 21 September 2023, as representing the Calabarzon region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). However, the list of nominees published by Comelec on 24 October 2024, showed eight nominees from Abra, one from Cagayan, and one from Quezon City, with no nominees from Calabarzon.

“This misrepresentation violates the party’s registration requirements,” Ramirez stated. He further cited Republic Act 7941, or the "Party-List System Act" and Comelec Resolution 9366, accusing the partylist of making false statements, misrepresenting its regional affiliation, and attempting to deceive voters.

Ramirez also called for the immediate cancellation of PBBM's registration, citing the "Atong Paglaum Inc. vs. Comelec case," which established that party-list nominees must be bona fide members representing the constituency they claim to serve.

In response, USec. Castro appealed to voters, stating, "While we appreciate their support for the government's initiatives, the President's name should not be used for personal political agendas." She urged voters to carefully assess the party-list groups' platforms for the benefit of the nation.