Former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes has publicly addressed and denied viral social media posts claiming he has been disqualified from public service. Cortes labeled these claims as based on misleading and incomplete information.
Clarification on the Comelec Division Ruling
In a statement directed at Mandauehanons on Facebook, Cortes clarified the nature of the document being shared online. He explained that it is not a final and executory decision barring him from office. The document is actually a ruling from a division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) concerning a petition to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) filed during the previous election cycle.
Cortes emphasized a critical legal point: this divisional ruling has not attained finality. He stressed that it remains subject to appeal and review by the Comelec en banc, which is the commission's full body.
Issue Deemed Moot for 2025 Elections
The former mayor also pointed out that regarding the May 2025 national and local elections, the matter has become "moot and academic" since the polls have already been conducted. Any remaining contests or questions from that electoral exercise, he stated, are now part of a pending election protest filed before the Comelec.
Cortes described the election protest as the proper constitutional forum to resolve such disputes, implying that the circulated document is not the appropriate or final legal word on his eligibility.
Allegations of Deliberate Misinformation
Expressing concern, Cortes accused certain parties of deliberate attempts to mislead the public. He criticized the selective and redacted release of legal documents without providing full context, which he said creates a false narrative. He questioned why such efforts persist despite the conclusion of the election period.
Cortes revealed that he chose to remain silent after the elections out of respect for due process and democratic institutions. However, he made it clear that his silence should not be interpreted as an acceptance of the false allegations being spread.
"I remain calm, resolute, and confident in the rule of law," Cortes affirmed. He added his belief that the truth will ultimately prevail through proper legal channels, not through the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
Reaffirming his dedication to public service, the former mayor urged residents of Mandaue City to stay vigilant and discerning. He called on the community to reject any and all efforts to deceive and misinform the public.
