Former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, dismissed from office due to legal issues, was seen at a Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) event, raising speculation about a potential return to the party. This event follows his previous alignment with One Cebu and his dismissal from office. Political observers believe this appearance could signal Cortes's efforts to secure stronger backing for his 2025 candidacy.
Dismissed Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes recently made an appearance at a Partido Demokratiko Pilipino ( PDP ) event, sparking speculation about a potential return to the party after a 10-month absence. A Facebook post from Team Deretso, the political group associated with former Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza, showcased Cortes alongside his Team Mandaue slate, posing with Partido Barug, a local party led by dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Radaza's allies.
The event, held at Club Filipino in San Juan City on February 13th, commemorated the proclamation of PDP's senatorial candidates. Cortes's departure from PDP occurred in May 2024, a month after the party shed its 'Laban' moniker. He aligned himself with One Cebu, the political party of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, stating his desire to bolster her leadership and maintain Mandaue City's strong connection with the provincial government.Garcia had previously severed ties with PDP due to escalating tensions with Rama, who had lodged a complaint with the Office of the President seeking her suspension for opposing the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project. Garcia halted the project's construction, arguing that the bus stops' design might obstruct the view of the Capitol building, a recognized historical landmark. Cortes's presence at the PDP event has fueled speculation about a possible comeback to the party, particularly considering his previous affiliations with former president Rodrigo Duterte, who had endorsed him in the 2019 elections. However, his political future remains uncertain.In August 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Cortes for appointing an unqualified individual to a city government position. Two months later, he was dismissed from office for failing to regulate a batching plant operating without the necessary business and environmental permits. Despite these legal challenges, Cortes filed his certificate of candidacy for the 2025 elections. The Supreme Court subsequently issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) in October 2024 after both Cortes and Rama appealed the rulings against them. However, the Commission on Elections disqualified Cortes for material misrepresentation, citing his failure to disclose his pending cases. The Supreme Court upheld Cortes's disqualification with a Certificate of Finality on January 4th. Days later, the Supreme Court issued another TRO, ensuring that Cortes's name would still appear on the official ballot. With his appearance at the PDP event, some political observers believe Cortes may be seeking stronger backing for his candidacy, despite his legal troubles. His team is poised to compete against the slate of Rep. Emmarie 'Lolypop' Ouano-Dizon, who enjoys the support of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. However, Cortes has yet to confirm his return to the political party
JONAS CORTES PDP POLITICAL RETURN CEBU ONE CEBU LEGAL ISSUES 2025 ELECTIONS POLITICAL SPECTULATION
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Mandaue Mayor Cortes Hails Supreme Court for Issuing TROJonas Cortes, former Mayor of Mandaue City, expressed gratitude towards the Supreme Court for issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) that reinstated his candidacy for the mayoral position. Cortes claimed he spent P1 billion to secure the TRO, alleging that his removal from the ballot was an insult to the justice system. He lauded the SC as a bastion of democracy, ensuring fairness and justice in the ongoing legal process.
Read more »
Cortes back in race for Mandaue mayorCEBU CITY — After numerous legal hurdles and challenges, former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes is back in the mayoral race.
Read more »
Mandaue Residents Call Dismissed Mayor Jonas Cortes a Liar for Claiming HarassmentDismissed Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes faced criticism from Barangay Labogon residents who accused him of lying about being harassed and politically persecuted after his removal from office. Cortes was dismissed for allowing a cement batching plant to operate without permits and environmental clearances. Residents condemned Cortes for ignoring their repeated pleas to shut down the plant, citing health risks and unsafe conditions.
Read more »
Iloilo City mayor defies own order vs non-political DinagyangILOILO CITY — Mayor Jerry Treñas is facing mounting backlash for defying his own executive order on a non-political celebration of the 2025 Dinagyang Festival here.
Read more »
Politicians troop to Dinagyang despite mayor’s order of non-political celebrationILOILO CITY – Despite the executive order banning political color in the Dinagyang Festival, politicians were special guests of Mayor Jerry Treñas of this city.
Read more »
Coalition Questions Political Interference in Ombudsman Cases Against Dismissed Mandaue MayorA coalition of leaders from various sectors is calling on the Office of the Ombudsman to uphold its independence and resist what they claim is political interference in the cases against dismissed Mayor Jonas Cortes and Mayor Glenn Bercede of Mandaue City. The group raises concerns over what they describe as 'highly irregular' legal proceedings, alleging that the timing of the cases against Cortes, who served Mandaue for 17 years without any record of corruption, coincides with the announcement of Provincial Board Member Thadeo Jovito 'Jonkie' Ouano, the brother-in-law of a powerful national political figure, as his opponent in the upcoming 2025 elections. The coalition points to several irregularities, including a three-day deadline for a legal memorandum, a sudden shift in jurisdiction to the Manila office, and a perceived double standard in the application of justice.
Read more »