Ouano given five days to answer poll protest

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Central Office has officially taken cognizance of the election protest filed by former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes against Mayor-elect Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano.

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In a notice signed by Director IV Allen Francis B. Abaya, Clerk of Court of the Commission, the Comelec’s Electoral Contests Adjudication Department (ECAD) informed Ouano of the protest contesting his proclamation as the winning mayoral candidate in Mandaue City during the May 12 midterm elections. The case has been docketed as Election Protest Case No. EPC 2025-010.

“You are hereby notified that an election protest has been filed against you with this Commission on May 23, 2025. Copy of the protest with annexes are hereto attached,” the Comelec informed Ouano.

The poll body also directed Ouano to submit his verified answer to the protest within five calendar days from receipt of the summons—a non-extendible deadline.

Ouano is required to submit four hard copies of his response, including the original, along with any annexes or supporting documents. These must be filed with the ECAD office on the 8th Floor of the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

The notice further states that if Ouano’s answer includes a counter-protest, it will be subject to the corresponding legal fees and charges as provided under the Comelec rules of procedure. A copy of the response must also be furnished to Cortes and his legal counsel.