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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Comelec disqualifies Mandaue mayoral bet Zoilo Cortes

Comelec disqualifies Mandaue mayoral bet Zoilo Cortes

Published Dec 16, 2024 10:44 am

CEBU CITY – A mayoral candidate from an influential political family in Mandaue City has been disqualified from next year’s elections.

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc upheld a previous decision declaring Zoilo Cortes a nuisance candidate.

Cortes filed his Certificate of Candidacy but the Comelec Second Division on Nov. 26 declared him a nuisance candidate. 

The petition to cancel Zoilo’s COC on the grounds of being a nuisance candidate was filed by fellow mayoral candidate Joey Cortes.

Zoilo is a cousin of dismissed Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, who is running for reelection.

Zoilo filed a motion for reconsideration which was eventually denied by the Comelec en banc on Dec. 13.

“We agree with the findings of the Commission's Second Division that evidence shows Respondent lacks a bona fide intention to run for the position for which he filed his COC. He has no political presence, and his behavior in promoting a vague or undefined advocacy belies any genuine aspiration to serve the public. His candidacy appears intended solely to confuse voters due to the similarity of his name with Petitioner,” the Comelec en banc resolution stated.

The Second Division noted that Zoilo and petitioner Joey share the same surname, which raises significant legal and electoral implications, particularly with regard to potential voter confusion – a fundamental concern in ensuring free, fair, and orderly elections. 

The division also highlighted that Joey has prior electoral experience and cannot be considered a novice in the political landscape.

The Comelec en banc emphasized that Zoilo’s motion for reconsideration failed to raise valid grounds, adding that the Second Division’s resolution was “neither without sufficient basis found in the records, nor contrary to law.”

It further noted that the arguments raised in the motion were a “mere rehash of arguments and positions already raised and discussed,” which had been thoroughly reviewed and incisively examined by the Second Division before deciding to cancel Zoilo’s COC.
 

Related Tags

2025 elections Zoilo Cortes Nuisance candidate Mandaue City
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