CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Former mayors of Cebu City and Mandaue City have formally lodged election protests challenging the outcomes of the 2025 local elections, citing alleged irregularities in the automated voting system.
In Manila, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama questioned the integrity of the automated system used in Eleksyon 2025 after finishing third in the race. He filed his protest at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office, expressing concerns over supposed glitches that may have impacted vote counts.
Likewise, former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes filed a protest on May 23, highlighting suspicious incidents during the tallying of votes. His legal team pointed to both “intrinsic fraud” related to the software and “extrinsic fraud” tied to voting procedures.
“We’ve identified issues both within the system and in the actual voting process,” said Mandaue City administrator Atty. Jamaal Calipayan, who cited multiple instances backed by affidavits from poll watchers and legal observers.
Cortes emphasized his protest was not rooted in resentment but aimed at safeguarding electoral transparency. “This isn’t about bitterness or the opponents. It’s about defending the people’s vote,” he stated on social media.
Declared winners Jonkie Ouano in Mandaue and Nestor Archival in Cebu City responded with measured remarks. Ouano deferred to his legal team, while Archival acknowledged Rama’s right to file a complaint. Outgoing Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, however, urged political unity, stating it’s time to work with the incoming administration.