CEBU, Philippines — For “continuing to act like he is still the mayor” when he was supposedly under suspension, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes now faces criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, along with Acting Mayor Glen Bercede.
And not only did he continue to make public appearances as mayor more than a month after receiving the Ombudsman order for his suspension, he even signed documents after Aug. 21.
Mandaue City residents Karina Labos of Brgy. Pagsabungan and Lea May Miñoza of Brgy. Lower Tabok made these allegations and included Bercede in their complaint for allowing Cortes to allegedly commit the act for several more times.
In their usurpation and grave misconduct complaints filed against the two officials two weeks ago at the anti-graft office, they sought for Bercede’s preventive suspension and Cortes’ dismissal from service as well as perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.
They alleged that despite receiving and acknowledging the suspension order on August 21, 2024, as evidenced by the press conference of City Administrator Jamaal Calipayan; Cortes’ statement, as posted in his official social media account and that of the Mandaue City Public Information Office, Cortes committed “a series of violations.”
For one, they said, Cortes continued reporting to his office and even signed as mayor on August 22, or a day after the start of his suspension, a “Certificate of Urgency” for the memorandum of agreement between Mandaue City and real estate company Cebu Landmasters Inc.
They also alleged that Cortes attended the Cebu Tourism Investment Forum 2024 in Bai Hotel, still as Mandaue City mayor.
Labos and Miñoza cited more “usurpation and grave misconduct incidents”, such as the CICC Compound cleanup drive where he was addressed as “Mayor Jonas,” with videos of him representing the city. Cortes also “appeared as mayor” during the send-off ceremony of Mandaue City’s contingent to the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024.
“To show his non-compliance with the suspension order, (Cortes) ended the day heading the Mandaue Food Fair 2024, leading the ribbon cutting ceremony, in manifest defiance of the order of the Office of the Ombudsman,” read their complaint.
“Ever since the suspension order was issued, respondent Cortes has tried his best to keep the public from learning the truth about his suspension by hosting and attending various events. One of these is the 1st Mayor Jonas Cortes 4x4 Off-Road Challenge,” they added.
Moreover, on Aug. 27, Cortes allegedly convened meetings, as evidenced by Facebook posts showing him sitting behind his office desk with Bercede and three city councilors, after meeting earlier barangay captains and City Hall department heads.
Labos and Miñoza attached screenshots of the Facebook posts of one Jose Sollano and of Councilor Cynthia Remedios as evidence.
“This behavior not only undermines the validity of the suspension but also sets a troubling precedent where authority is seemingly flouted. His presence at these public gatherings, often presented as the sitting mayor, misrepresents his current status and disrespects the legal framework that mandates his suspension,” they said.
As alleged, Cortes allegedly also delivered a speech along with other sitting officials at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mandaue City Government Center “under the pretext of a special guest;” and partnered with the fraternity organization Tau Gamma Phi for a clean-up drive, where he was acknowledged as mayor.
Cortes allegedly likewise attended the official activity of Mandaue City’s General Services Office, where he was pictured at the center of all City Hall employees who were wearing their uniforms and IDs, with their photos posted by the official page of the Mandaue PIO.
Labos and Miñoza included Bercede in the complaints for “deliberately allowing Cortes to attend, participate, and act as if he was not suspended from service during official events of Mandaue.”
They said that these "brazen acts" of defiance of his suspension, which has been going on since the suspension order was imposed last Aug. 21, are the reasons why they decided to file the complaints.
“Respondent Cortes’ consistent and deliberate actions and respondent Bercede’s feigned ignorance constitute grave misconduct…. (They) should not be allowed to diminish the public’s perception of the authority of the Ombudsman. Neither should they use their position to ignore the suspension order and its executory effect,” stated Labos’ and Miñoza’s complaint.
The two argued in their Sept. 17 complaint that what they two officials did were “extreme insult, disrespect, and mockery” to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Sought for comment on the complaint, Karla Victoria Cortes, the city’s information officer, said that they have not received any document regarding any case filed.
“In the meantime, we will wait for an official document,” she said.--/RHM (CEBU NEWS)