‘BIG MISTAKE’: Dismissed Mandaue mayor vows to challenge COC cancellation

Local

THE Commission on Election (Comelec) has ordered the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of dismissed Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Cortes, however, remained defiant as he lambasted the Comelec Second Division for its decision that disqualifies him from running for mayor in the 2025 elections.

The Comelec ruled that Cortes committed “material misrepresentation” by failing to disclose a dismissal order from the Ombudsman and declaring he was eligible to run.

Cortes, however, called the decision a "big mistake" and vowed to fight it.

“Kagabii, nadawat nako ang desisyon sa Comelec nga gikanselar ang akong certificate of candidacy. Ang ilang rason, kay dili na kuno ko kwalipikado mudagan tungod sa kaso nga dismissal ug disqualification," he said in a statement.

"Usa kini ka dako nga sayop sa Comelec kay ang desisyon sa Ombudsman wala pa na final, ug anaa pa sa prosesso sa appeal,” Cortes added.

The Ombudsman issued a dismissal order against Cortes on October 3, citing his failure to issue a cease-and-desist order against an unlicensed batching plant operating in Mandaue from 2020 to 2022.

Cortes filed his COC the next day, marking “N/A” in sections asking about pending cases. Lawyer Ervin Estandarte, who filed the petition against Cortes, argued that this omission was deliberate and intended to mislead voters.

The Comelec agreed, citing Sections 74 and 78 of the Omnibus Election Code, which require candidates to truthfully declare their qualifications.

“Respondent’s declaration in his COC, which constitutes his qualifications for mayor, is material and false, considering he misrepresented the fact that he is no longer qualified to run for office," the ruling noted.

Cortes, however, insisted that the Ombudsman’s dismissal order is under appeal and not final, making the Comelec’s ruling invalid.

He claimed the petition was politically motivated, orchestrated to remove him from the race and pave the way for his rival.

“Tumong nila nga tangtangon ko sa lista sa mga kandidato. Tumong nila nga karon palang, wa nay kontra ang akong kaatbang. Apan, dili ko malatugot runi. Akong hutdon ang tanang paagi aron makuha nato ang hustisya,” he added.

He also accused his opponent of using connections and influence to pressure the Comelec.

Cortes called on the people of Mandaue to resist what he described as an abuse of power and a threat to democracy.

"Dili ta motugot nga patyon nila ang demokrasya sa Mandaue pinaagi sa pagmani-obra sa sistema,” he added.

Cortes’s legal team has announced plans to file a motion for reconsideration. If necessary, they will take the case to the Supreme Court to ensure his inclusion in the 2025 mayoral race.(MyTVCebu)