MANILA - Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday slammed former National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Ronald Cardema for his bid to become the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list despite being too old for the post.

In a tweet Tuesday, Lacson said Cardema and his party-list are "just two of many reasons why the party-list system has become a joke."

Ronald Cardema and the Duterte-youth party list are just two of many reasons why the party list system has become a joke.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) May 21, 2019

Former NYC chair Dingdong Dantes and watchdog Kontra Daya earlier hit Cardema for seeking to become a substitute nominee for his party-list.

Dantes lamented how Cardema may have abused and circumvented the party-list system.

• 'Nakikisali siya sa pag-abuso': Dingdong Dantes calls out Duterte Youth's Cardema

Under the Party-list System Act, a nominee of the youth sector must not be more than 30 years of age on the day of the election. Cardema is 33.

Cardema's wife Ducielle was the first nominee for Duterte Youth party-list before withdrawing her candidacy on May 12, a day before the midterm elections. Cardema filed his petition for substitution on the same day.

• INFOGRAPHIC: Party-list nominees who belong to political familie

Kontra Daya, meanwhile, criticized Cardema for supposedly making a "mockery" of party-list rules in his bid to get a House seat.

Cardema defended his move, claiming he is not too old to represent the party.

• 'No age limit': Cardema defends Duterte Youth substitution bid

Meanwhile, Malacañang has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate Cardema after he allegedly presided over a meeting of the body even though he is already deemed resigned from his post following his substitution bid.

• Palace orders DOJ to probe ex-NYC chair Ronald Cardema