After COC cancellation: Jonas Cortes seeks reconsideration

CEBU, Philippines — Dismissed Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes filed his motion for reconsideration yesterday morning, December 23, before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, in time for the last day to submit a response.

Cortes confirmed that the Comelec en banc promptly received his motion, which he submitted just in time on the deadline.

He expressed hope that the electoral body would thoroughly review his motion and render a fair judgment.

“Kataw-anan kaayo ilang mga allegations mura naman hinuon og atong mga officers sa ahensiya, abogado sa petitioner,” Cortes told the media yesterday, December 23.

Cortes also claimed that his response was meritorious and expressed hope that it would be thoroughly reviewed by the Comelec.

“Hopefully, hopefully nga ila sang basahon,” Cortes said.

To recall, the Comelec Second Division has granted the petition to cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC) of Cortes for the 2025 midterm elections.

The decision promulgated on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, was based on “material and false representation” in Cortes’ COC.

The cancellation of his COC stemmed from the Oct. 25 petition filed by lawyer Ervin Estandarte, who pointed out that Cortes committed a serious act of misrepresentation when he checked the box in the COC which states “I am eligible for the office I seek to be elected to.”

However, despite the electoral body’s decision, Cortes expressed optimism that he is still qualified to run as a mayoralty candidate.

“Of course, og ato lang gyung subayon sa balaod, ako qualified gyud,” said Cortes.

Cortes also explained that the allegations claiming he is no longer qualified to run as a candidate because he did not declare in his COC that he had any pending case is not true.

“We have to consider nga ang finality ana adto sa pinakataas, which is the Supreme Court,” said Cortes.

Since the case is still under appeal, Cortes questioned why he would declare it as final and executory in his COC.

“Para nako, ‘No’ akong tubag, of course. Niya ang gibutang sa COC ‘If Yes, specify’ so wala, N/A akong gibutang,” said Cortes.

Cortes clarified that he had no intention to misinterpret his COC, which he filed last October 4.

The aspiring reelectionist for the mayoralty post likewise expressed hope that democracy would be upheld, emphasizing that the issue is not just about him, but also about the right of Mandauehanons to exercise their right to suffrage.

“It’s about justice—protecting the rights of every Mandauehanon sa pagpili,” said Cortes.

He also encouraged his opponents to accept the reality of the electoral process and refrain from using connections with higher-ups to disqualify him from the candidacy.

“Hinaot atong mga kaatbang ato nang dawaton. Asa man ang demokrasya?” said Cortes.

Cortes also added that the process should be fair, emphasizing that candidates should present their platforms and programs if they genuinely want to win the position instead of relying on connections.

“Atong tagaan ang katawhan sa pagpili og kinsa ilang gusto nga muda sa pagagamhanan,” said Cortes., —  (FREEMAN)