Cortes launches comeback bid, hits foes for ‘legal tactics’

Local

FORMER mayor Jonas Cortes launched his comeback bid during the campaign kickoff of Team Mandaue on Friday, March 28, marking the first day of the local campaign season with a strong message for his opponents.

Cortes, who was dismissed from office last year, returned to the political scene with a rally at Pasilong sa Paradise, where he addressed supporters and vowed to reclaim the mayoralty.

“I will be back stronger than ever,” Cortes declared in his speech.

In an interview with MyTV Cebu after the event, Cortes criticized his rivals, accusing them of resorting to legal tactics rather than facing him at the polls.

Without naming names, he took aim at the group led by former allies now challenging his comeback.

Running against Team Mandaue is the rival One Mandaue slate, composed of re-electionists Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, the incumbent 6th District representative, and Nerrisa Soon-Ruiz, the sitting vice mayor, along with Board Member Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano, who is running for mayor and aiming to unseat Cortes.

Team Mandaue

Flanked by his running mates, Cortes led the full slate of Team Mandaue in presenting their platform and rallying public support.

Among those joining him were sitting mayor Glenn Bercede for vice mayor and Atty. Regal Oliva for representative of the city’s lone congressional district.

Completing the ticket were board member candidates JJ Go and Malcolm Sanchez, and councilor bets Jun Arcilla, Dante Borbajo, Editha Cabahug, Maline Cortes-Zafra, Oscar Del Castillo, Jen Del Mar, Jojie Espina, Atty. Carlo Fortuna, Jimmy Lumapas, Ernie Manatad, Francis Karlo Remedio, and Marco Sanchez.

Digong's 80th

Earlier that day, a separate gathering was held to celebrate the 80th birthday of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The event, attended by Duterte’s supporters, featured recorded messages from Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, both calling for Duterte’s release from detention at The Hague in Netherlands and describing his arrest as illegal.

Throughout the event, speakers reinforced a narrative of political persecution, tying it to both Duterte’s detention and Cortes’ ouster.

Meanwhile, congressional bet Oliva took center stage at the rally alongside members of the LGBTQIA+ community and local pageant icons, including Miss International Queen 2022 Fuchsia Anne Ravena, the third transgender Filipina to win the title.(MyTVCebu)