Mayor Glenn Bercede and dismissed Mayor Jonas Cortes maintain a pressconference relating to their usurpation and grave misconduct circumstances. | Mary Rose Sagarino
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Mandaue Metropolis Mayor Glenn Bercede and dismissed Mayor Jonas Cortes have submitted supplemental memoranda in response to their ongoing circumstances of grave misconduct and usurpation of authority, following a clarificatory listening to held by the Workplace of the Ombudsman.
At a press convention on February 3, Lawyer Marthforth Fua, representing each officers, mentioned that the Ombudsman had requested the events concerned to offer further documentation inside three days following the listening to to additional make clear their respective positions.
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The listening to, performed on Friday, January 31, 2025, on the Ombudsman’s fundamental workplace in Manila, was meant to deal with authorized arguments and procedural questions associated to the case. Mayor Bercede attended in particular person, whereas former Mayor Cortes participated nearly.
Fua mentioned that the Ombudsman merely clarified sure factual issues, particularly the date of receipt of the memorandum and the date of receipt of the selections.
The supplemental paperwork have been submitted on Monday, February 3, he mentioned. Whereas he expressed confidence of their authorized place, he kept away from offering particular particulars in regards to the contents of the submission, because it remained beneath evaluate by the Ombudsman.
Fua emphasised that the group was ready to pursue various authorized treatments if their case can be dismissed.
“We should belief the method, no matter our private beliefs of whether or not partial or not partial however that’s the system,” mentioned Fua.
“Ako na unhappy ang goal….Nag-expect ta nga dunay suspension coming over,” mentioned Bercede.
(I’m now the goal….I’m anticipating that there can be a suspension coming over.)
“Nagtuo man gud sila nga pagkawala ni Mayor Jonas Cortes, nga ako lang gihapon ang nagdala sa metropolis corridor. Sa tinud-anay lang lahi ang amongst Glenn Bercede, dunay respeto. By no means did I affect or mosugo kong Mayor Glenn kani maoy buhata. The second nga nirelinquish ko sa katungdanan, si Mayor Glenn na ang mayor,” mentioned Cortes.
(They believed that after Mayor Jonas Cortes is gone, I’m nonetheless the one working metropolis corridor. However the reality is what now we have with Glenn Bercede, now we have respect. By no means did I affect or ordered Mayor Glenn that that is what he ought to do. The second I relinquished my duties, Mayor Glenn is the mayor.)
The complaints in opposition to Bercede and Cortes stem from allegations made on September 17, 2024, by Mandaue Metropolis residents Karina Labos and Lea Could Miñoza.
They accused Bercede of permitting Cortes to train mayoral powers regardless of a one-year suspension beginning on August 21, 2024. Cortes was suspended by the Ombudsman for allegedly appointing an unqualified particular person to the place of officer-in-charge on the Metropolis Social Welfare and Providers.
The petitioners argued that Bercede’s actions constituted grave misconduct and usurpation of authority by permitting Cortes proceed to perform as mayor violating the suspension order, thereby undermining the authority of the Ombudsman.
Bercede formally assumed workplace on August 24 after receiving communication through Fb Messenger from the Division of the Inside and Native Authorities.
The complaints search Bercede’s preventive suspension and Cortes’ dismissal from service, together with a perpetual disqualification from holding any public workplace.
Each mayors are political allies and are campaigning within the upcoming midterm elections on Could 12, with Bercede searching for reelection as vice mayor and Cortes aiming for one more time period as mayor.
The Ombudsman is predicted to launch a decision after reviewing the extra info submitted by each events.
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