JONKIE ON JONAS’ POLITICAL HARASSMENT CRY: ‘Feeling nga special siya’

Local

PROVINCIAL Board Member Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano issued a sharp rebuke to former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, who sought Supreme Court intervention to reverse his disqualification from the mayoral race.

Ouano accused Cortes of deflecting responsibility for his legal troubles and dismissed claims of political interference as unfounded.

“He is just one of many candidates sa tibuok Pilipinas nga ang COC (certificate of candidagi challenged. Kadaghan ang gipa disqualify sa Comelec (Commission on Elections). Iya ra na feeling nga special siya,” Ouano said.

Cortes’ COC was canceled by the Comelec on December 18, due to material misrepresentation. The decision was upheld by the Comelec en banc on December 27.

Romualdez not involved

Commenting on Cortes’ accusations that he used his ties to House Speaker Martin Romualdez to influence the Comelec ruling, Ouano dismissed the claims as a desperate distraction.

“Unsa labot sa Speaker sa iyang binuhatan?” Ouano asked.

“So, katong manga gi disqualify sa Comelec paryente pod ni Speaker ang kontra ato nila? Kuwang nalang ani nga ug matakilpo siya, among kampo gihapon ang pasanginlan," he added.

Ouano argued that Cortes’ suspension, dismissal, and eventual disqualification stemmed solely from his own actions.

Despite the accusations, Ouano stood firm in his defense, asserting that the Comelec disqualified Cortes due to his deliberate misrepresentation.

Personally filed

Cortes personally filed his petition for certiorari, claiming that the Comelec ruling violated his constitutional rights to due process and suffrage.

He argued that the election body overstepped its authority by expanding the scope of a complaint filed under Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code.

In his petition, Cortes sought a Status Quo Ante Order to temporarily reinstate his candidacy while the case is under review.

Atty. Joshua Monsanto, his legal counsel, described the Supreme Court as “the last bastion of democracy” and emphasized that the case goes beyond Cortes’ candidacy, touching on the principles of fair elections.

Alleged political agenda

City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan echoed Cortes’ assertions, claiming that the Comelec ruling was part of a larger campaign orchestrated by Ouano’s camp.

He accused the Comelec of overreaching its jurisdiction by addressing broader qualifications instead of focusing solely on the original complaint.

Calipayan also warned of potential election disruptions, including costly reprints of ballots, should the Supreme Court fail to act swiftly.

The Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether Cortes regains his candidacy status or if his political career will face another legal roadblock.(MyTVCebu)