Jonkie proclaimed; Cortes challenges poll results

Following Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano’s proclamation as the new mayor of Mandaue City, the camp of former mayor Jonas Cortes has challenged the city's election results, citing alleged electoral fraud involving electronic manipulation, vote padding, and the improbability of the generated data.

- Kristin de Dios Staff Member

During last Monday’s elections, Cortes received 94,448 votes, while Ouano garnered 101,549 votes.

In a complaint filed through his lawyer, Benjamin Cabrido Jr., Cortes alleged that at least 14 barangays showed irregularities.

"This challenge and any action/decision made be recorded in the Minutes; and I am given a certification/ proof as to the filing of this challenge," he said.

They alleged that in several barangays, the number of valid votes exceeded the number of actual voters.

In Barangay Subangdaku, specifically at Cluster Precinct ID: 22300216, they pointed out that although there were 855 registered voters and only 766 actually voted, the number of valid votes recorded was 960.

Other precincts named in the complaint include those in the barangays of Pagsabungan, Tingub, Umapad, Tipolo, and Tabok.

The challenge was submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) City Board of Canvassers on May 12, 2025, and officially received at 1 a.m. on May 13, 2025, by Atty. Marinez Oro.

Shortly after the proclamation of Mayor-elect Ouano at around 3 a.m. on May 13 by the Comelec Mandaue City Office of the Election Officer, he told reporters in an interview that it is normal for a candidate to file a protest and that it is their right to do so.