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Saturday, May 24, 2025
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Election Protest Filed by Former Mayor Challenges Results in Mandaue City
Jonas Cortes seeks a manual recount following claims of irregularities in the recent mayoral race.
Former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has filed an election protest with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), contesting the results of the May 12, 2025 mayoral election in which Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano was declared the winner.
The protest was submitted to the Judicial Records Division on May 23, supported by affidavits from poll watchers, legal representatives, and voters outlining alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
In the contested election, Ouano received a total of 101,549 votes, defeating Cortes, who garnered 94,488 votes.
Other candidates, Joey Cortes and Gepind Requierme, received 2,667 and 999 votes, respectively.
The legal challenge is lodged within the 10-day period mandated by electoral law for filing protests against election results.
Cortes, representing the One Cebu Party, has raised concerns regarding the integrity of the automated voting system, alleging both intrinsic fraud related to the vote-counting software and extrinsic fraud involving observed procedural violations on Election Day.
A significant point within the allegations includes discrepancies noted in clustered precincts where valid votes allegedly exceeded both the number of registered voters and those who participated in the voting process.
Specifically, the protest cites detailed findings from 14 clustered precincts, including:
- Barangay Subangdaku: 885 registered voters, 766 actual voters, and 960 valid votes recorded.
- Barangay Pagsabungan: 789 registered voters, 688 actual voters, and 754 valid votes recorded.
- Barangay Tabok (Cluster 1): 827 registered voters, 739 actual voters, and 924 valid votes recorded.
- Barangay Tabok (Cluster 2): 962 registered voters, 871 actual voters, and 1,159 valid votes recorded.
Cortes' legal team argues that these inconsistencies raise serious questions about the overall credibility of the election results.
A previous challenge submitted to the City Board of Canvassers on May 13, addressing similar anomalies, was dismissed due to a reported “mislabeling issue,” drawing criticism from Cortes' camp.
City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan stated that such an oversight by electoral officials is unacceptable given the potential implications.
Ouano, the mayor-elect, acknowledged Cortes' right to file a protest but expressed criticism regarding the timing of the action.
He indicated that it contradicted calls for unity and cooperation within the city.
Ouano's focus remains on preparing for an orderly transition and prioritizing infrastructure projects, including the establishment of a new Mandaue City College building and a modern hospital.
Cortes has asserted that if the manual recount confirms Ouano's victory, he would accept the outcome.
He emphasized that the aim of the protest is not to disrupt the electoral system but to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
He further clarified that the filing of the protest was procedural and not motivated by personal grievances, stating that the underlying goal is to set a precedent for future elections.
The protest was submitted to the Judicial Records Division on May 23, supported by affidavits from poll watchers, legal representatives, and voters outlining alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
In the contested election, Ouano received a total of 101,549 votes, defeating Cortes, who garnered 94,488 votes.
Other candidates, Joey Cortes and Gepind Requierme, received 2,667 and 999 votes, respectively.
The legal challenge is lodged within the 10-day period mandated by electoral law for filing protests against election results.
Cortes, representing the One Cebu Party, has raised concerns regarding the integrity of the automated voting system, alleging both intrinsic fraud related to the vote-counting software and extrinsic fraud involving observed procedural violations on Election Day.
A significant point within the allegations includes discrepancies noted in clustered precincts where valid votes allegedly exceeded both the number of registered voters and those who participated in the voting process.
Specifically, the protest cites detailed findings from 14 clustered precincts, including:
- Barangay Subangdaku: 885 registered voters, 766 actual voters, and 960 valid votes recorded.
- Barangay Pagsabungan: 789 registered voters, 688 actual voters, and 754 valid votes recorded.
- Barangay Tabok (Cluster 1): 827 registered voters, 739 actual voters, and 924 valid votes recorded.
- Barangay Tabok (Cluster 2): 962 registered voters, 871 actual voters, and 1,159 valid votes recorded.
Cortes' legal team argues that these inconsistencies raise serious questions about the overall credibility of the election results.
A previous challenge submitted to the City Board of Canvassers on May 13, addressing similar anomalies, was dismissed due to a reported “mislabeling issue,” drawing criticism from Cortes' camp.
City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan stated that such an oversight by electoral officials is unacceptable given the potential implications.
Ouano, the mayor-elect, acknowledged Cortes' right to file a protest but expressed criticism regarding the timing of the action.
He indicated that it contradicted calls for unity and cooperation within the city.
Ouano's focus remains on preparing for an orderly transition and prioritizing infrastructure projects, including the establishment of a new Mandaue City College building and a modern hospital.
Cortes has asserted that if the manual recount confirms Ouano's victory, he would accept the outcome.
He emphasized that the aim of the protest is not to disrupt the electoral system but to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
He further clarified that the filing of the protest was procedural and not motivated by personal grievances, stating that the underlying goal is to set a precedent for future elections.
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