Jonas Cortes asks SC to overturn Comelec's candidacy cancellation

Former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes has asked the Supreme Court to overturn the Commission on Elections' decision to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy for the 2025 elections.

Cortes also requested a Status Quo ante Order to restore his status as an eligible candidate for mayor, arguing that Comelec's actions constitute a 'grave abuse of discretion' and violate his rights.

In his petition, Cortes challenged Comelec's decision based on what he claims is an erroneous interpretation of election laws and asserted that it violates his constitutional rights.

Cortes emphasized in the petition that his COC was filed in good faith without any patent defects and argued that disqualifying him was unjustified since the Ombudsman's decision at the time of filing was not yet final.

The dismissed mayor also asked the Supreme Court to clarify that Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code does not authorize ineligibility proceedings before an election, maintaining that such matters should only be addressed after elections and only for proclaimed winners.