Cortes spent half a million for Mandaue re-election bid

MANDAUE City Mayor Jonas Cortes spent P54,000 more than his opponent to easily win a third term in office in last month’s elections.

Cortes spent nearly half a million pesos or P498,119 for his final re-election which is P54,000 more than mayoral rival Victor Biaño, who spent P444,000 based on their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Opposition vice mayoral candidates Benjamin Luage and independent councilor Wenceslao Gakit failed to pass their SOCE on the June 13 deadline as required by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Both candidates didn’t receive any contributions based on what they submitted at the Comelec Mandaue City office. Re-elected Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede spent P48,335 for his campaign.

City Councillor Emmarie Ouano-Dizon was the highest spender among the winning councilors with P267,107 while Benjamin Basiga had the lowest expenses with P46,500.

Asst. Comelec Mandaue City officer Jacqueline Reuyan said some of the candidates failed to attach receipts in their SOCE.

She said they issued reminders to all candidates to submit their papers last May 18.

Under Comelec guidelines, their local offices will issue a show cause order to require candidates who failed to submit their SOCE on time to explain their failure in doing so. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos