Kabataan Partylist expels member over sexual misconduct

[Warning: Gender-based violence]

Kabataan Partylist has expelled one of its members over a case of gender-based violence and vowed to improve its internal systems while reaffirming its commitment to justice, accountability, and care.

In a statement released on Saturday, 7 June, the partylist’ National Executive Committee (NEC) said its investigation team conducted a thorough and deliberate investigation and found sufficient cause to remove the perpetrator from the organization.

"As one of the resolutions of the NEC, the said individual has been expelled from the organization effective immediately," the statement read.

Improving the system

The committee emphasized that it condemns all forms of sexual abuse and acknowledged the criticisms directed to them.

"We recognize valid criticisms about how our organizational processes were carried out," the NEC stated.

"We apologize for all these shortcomings — we may have had reasons, but these are no excuses. There is much we must improve, and we are committed to doing so," the committee added.

The NEC disclosed that they are currently reviewing their internal policies and practices, including implementing "faster and more transparent disciplinary timelines, clearer survivor-centered processes and trauma protocols, and better safeguards to ensure that no one feels unheard or unprotected again."

The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to confronting the realities of gender-based violence and criticized government entities such as the NTF-ELCAC for discrediting activism.

"We cannot overlook how state forces like the NTF-ELCAC rabidly capitalize on the grievances of victim-survivors to further demonize activism and dissent. This only harms, rather than helps, anti-GBV advocacy and victim-survivors," the statement said.

The identities of the parties involved were not disclosed, with the NEC stating, "We have no mandate to disclose names or case details to the public since these are private matters of the organization."

However, the partylist issued a public notice on the same day stating that a certain Justine James Barrientos is no longer affiliated with the organization and can no longer represent or use the name of Kabataan Partylist.