1 month ago
20
MANDAUE CITY — The camp of former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes remains hopeful the dismissed mayor could still get into the race after the Supreme Court issued temporary restraining orders (TROs) for five candidates disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The high court, during its en banc session on Tuesday, permitted the five candidates to proceed with their campaigns for the May 2025 midterm elections.
The development made the Cortes' camp to be optimistic and that they said they are awaiting the court's decision on their petition for the same relief.
Mandaue City administrator Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan said the recent TROs favoring other candidates reinforce their optimism, adding the Supreme Court may have been tackling the cases chronologically, which could explain the delay in the resolution of Cortes' petition.
Calipayan pointed out the importance of time but remained confident in the high court's impartial and timely action.
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He believed their case could be addressed in the following week if it was not included in the current en banc discussions.
The Comelec has suspended the printing of the official ballots following the rulings, as the poll body is now working on revising its candidate database and updating systems such as the Election Management System (EMS), Automated Counting Machine, and Consolidation and Canvassing System.
Cortes' camp welcomed this temporary adjustment, describing the Supreme Court's actions as a reflection of the high court's careful consideration of the issues raised.
They expressed encouragement over the rulings, stating that these decisions ensure Comelec's actions do not compromise the integrity of the elections.
Clarifying notary concerns
Calipayan also addressed allegations about issues in their petition, specifically claims of an expired notary stamp. He clarified that the notary stamp used was valid when the petition was filed.
He explained that the renewal process for notary stamps is done annually and involves securing a professional tax receipt (PTR) and a notarial commission number from local authorities.
Calipayan dismissed the rumors and said the Supreme Court typically grants compliance orders in such cases, as technicalities like notary renewal do not outweigh the merits of a petition.
Cortes personally filed his petition for certiorari on Jan. 2 to seek a TRO and a status quo ante order against the Comelec ruling that canceled his certificate of candidacy (COC).
The high court's decision to issue TROs to other candidates strengthened his camp's confidence in the court's commitment to upholding democratic processes.
Cortes' camp acknowledged that their case differs from those of the candidates granted TROs but viewed the court's recent rulings as proof of its willingness to intervene when necessary.
They called on their supporters to stay optimistic and united as the case progresses. Calipayan reiterated the group's confidence, emphasizing their determination to see the former mayor included in the midterm elections.
