CEBU, Philippines — Tension rose at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Mandaue City on December 20, 2024, as members of the urban poor staged a rally to support dismissed Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
Around 300 members of Urban Poor organizations in Mandaue City called for “justice” for Cortes, urging an election instead of the cancellation of his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 Midterm Elections.
The rally came after the Comelec Second Division granted the petition filed by lawyer Ervin Estandarte to cancel Cortes’ COC due to alleged “material and false representation.” The decision, promulgated on December 18, 2024, has sparked public outcry among Cortes’ supporters.
Leo "Nonoy" Gerarman, chief operations officer of the Urban Poor Association Inc., told reporters that they held a rally to appeal to the Comelec to overturn the decision to cancel Cortes' COC. During the protest, Gerarman brought a copy of Cortes' response to the Comelec Second Division.
Gerarman demanded that the officers of Comelec Mandaue come out of their office to read and acknowledge that Cortes had indeed submitted a response to the Comelec.
As reported, part of the decision of the Comelec Second Division stated that Cortes failed to file a response to the petition in time.
City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan previously said that Cortes' legal team had filed a response to the petition within the specified deadline.
In the copy brought by Gerarman, it was revealed that the Answer cum Memorandum was received by the Comelec Second Division on December 9, 2025.
Further, Gerarman said that the Comelec might as well be shut down because it serves no purpose during elections.
"Wa man gihapon, kinsa namay kontra?" said Gerarman.
He said that if the decision is not lifted, they will continue to hold rallies in front of the Comelec office.
"Kung ilibkas nila (ang desisyon) nga ang among mayor makapadayon sa paglansar, muundang mi sa pag rally," said Gerarman.
Gerarman also clarified that they were not paid by Cortes' camp and that they held the rally voluntarily.
"Bisan piso wala mi hatagi, kabubut-on ni namo kay nasakitan naming mga Mandauehanon,” he said.
Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Station 1 Chief of Police, Police Major (PMAJ) Jovito Labra said that if the rallyists’ plan to protest at the Comelec office continues in the coming days, they will deploy additional police personnel to secure the area.
Albeit a bit of tension, Labra added that the rally, which lasted almost two hours yesterday, was peaceful.
“Ang rally peaceful ra man sad kasabot man mi sa ilang side,” said Labra, who added that although the rally was held without a permit, authorities allowed the participants to express their side since the protest remained peaceful.
COMELEC MANDAUE CLARIFIES ROLE
Mandaue Election Officer IV, Atty. Anna Fleur Gujilde, clarified that the role of Comelec Mandaue is primarily "messengerial," as petitions and their responses are filed in Manila, not in their local office.
“Ang role ra namo diri sa Comelec Mandaue is kung dili mapadala through ang email ang decision or resolution sa Manila ipaagi namo sa ilaha para kami ang mu serve personally,” said Gujilde.
She said that their role is simply to serve the documents ordered by the Central Office.
“I heard the complaints ganiha, I understand but I think it’s also because wala sila kahibaw sa proseso,” said Gujilde.
Gujilde explained that a petition against a candidate is not filed at their office, but instead, it must be submitted to the Comelec Central Office in Intramuros.
Gujilde likewise added that the response to the petition is forwarded to the concerned parties, and if a summon is issued, their answer will be directly submitted to the Comelec Central Office.
“Dili gyud na muagi sa amoa,” said the Election officer.
Regarding the delayed response from Cortes, which the rallyists claimed that the Comelec did not receive or read, Gujilde said that it was not Comelec Mandaue that handled the matter.
“Their answers were sent directly to Manila,” said Gujilde, who added that regarding the receipt or non-receipt of the response, they are not privy to the decision.
“Although kasabot ta nga ilahang feeling nga walay hustisya, I hope that they would understand nga dili na sa amo-a,” she explained.
Gujilde stressed that she cannot speak on behalf of Comelec Manila regarding the petition process. She emphasized that if the supporters want to know more, the response is with Comelec Manila.
Regarding the rallies they plan to hold in the coming days, Gujilde said this is allowed because it is their right to express themselves, as long as their assembly remains peaceful.
“Ato ra pod ng i-recognize ang ilahang katungod basta dili lang sila mu disrupt sa pagdagan sa opisina,”
However, Gujilde said it is unfortunate because even if they hold rallies in the coming days, Comelec Mandaue will still be unable to provide an answer to their concerns.
“Sige sila og rally, but the answer is not here, wala sa amoa,” said Gujilde.
Gujilde said that if the supporters want to seek clarification, they should go to Comelec Manila, as it is where the quasi-judicial functions are carried out, and the commissioners are the ones responsible for these matters.
Further, regarding the suggestion of the rallyists to shut down Comelec Mandaue, Gujilde said she understands their sentiments but reiterated that it is unfortunate that they are not aware of the process, as the decision-making is not in Mandaue but in Manila.
Gujilde further explained that they are not aware of the petitions being filed because they go directly to Manila, and even the responses do not pass through their office.
She explained that the only time they would know is if they are ordered by the Central Office to serve the decision, as there are instances when Comelec Manila does not have the email address of the petitioner or respondent.
It is only then that they would become aware that petitions have been filed, Gujilde added.
“Wala mi dapat information ana kay we are not privy to it gisugo ra mi as messenger to serve,” said Gujilde
Meanwhile, the Representative of the Lone District of Mandaue City, Congresswoman Emmarie
“Lollypop” Ouano has denied allegations that they are behind Comelec’s decision to cancel Cortes’ COC.
“Naay mga rumors nga ang among camp daw ang nagpaluyo niini. Just like the Ombudsman, the Comelec is an independent constitutional body. Kung dili pabor ang decision, akusahan dayon nga bias.
No one is above the law. DILI SALA SA COMELEC KUNG DUNAY CANDIDATO NGA DILI MOSULTI SA TINUOD SA IYANG COC. Dili nalang unta mamasingil ug lain tawo. The public will appreciate us more if we can show respect to our legal processes,” Ouano said.
In the statement of Cortes released last Dec, 19, 2024, he urged his opponents to stop using their connections and influence in putting pressure to the Comelec. Although not dropping any names in his statement, Cortes will be opposed by incumbent Provincial Board member Jonkie Ouano in the coming election for the mayoral post. Jonkie is the brother of Rep. Lollypop Ouano. — / ATO (FREEMAN)