CEBU CITY – Former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has filed an urgent motion to post bail in the graft charges filed against him.
CORTES (FB)
Invoking judicial expediency and practicality, Cortes filed the motion before the Mandaue Regional Trial Court Branch 89.
Cortes asked the court to grant the instant motion to post as a matter of right.
“In sum, the accused Cortes is entitled to bail as a matter of right and the foregoing rules prescribed the manner by which this right may be exercised. Specifically, the accused Cortes may post his bail before a competent court who has custody of his person regardless of where the information will be filed,” Cortes said.
The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Cortes for violating Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The indictment stemmed from the cases filed by Mandaue residents Corbo Necesario and Julia O. Narte who accused Cortes of graft for allowing a cement batching plant to operate in Barangay Labogon without necessary permits.
The complainants alleged that the operation of the plant posed health risks and disrupted the lives of residents.
The complainants added that Cortes refused to issue a cease-and-desist order against the plant even if it operated without environmental permits.
The Ombudsman dismissed Cortes from service for grave misconduct for allowing the plant to operate and perpetually disqualified him from holding public office.
Despite the order, Cortes ran for mayor in the recent elections but lost to incumbent provincial board member Jonkie Ouano.