Re-entering mayoral position after 18 years: Ouano goes back to Mandaue City
2025: Jonkie Ouano Takes the Mandaue Mayor's Seat
After a gripping 18-year hiatus, the Ouano dynasty is back in Mandaue City's mayor's office. Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano, son of the late Thadeo Ouano, who served as mayor from 1998 to 2007, claimed victory in the May 2025 elections.
Jonkie Ouano extended his heartfelt thanks to Mandaue's people for their incredible support, making him their new mayor. Officially, he secured 101,549 votes, narrowly beating incumbent Mayor Jonas Cortes, who earned 94,488 votes in the tightly contested race[1]. Other contenders in the race included Joey Cortes and Gepind Requierme, with 2,667 votes and 999 votes, respectively[1].
In a heartfelt statement following the proclamation of winners at 3:30 a.m. on May 13, Ouano was humbled by the mandate and vowed to lead Mandaue with unity and purpose[1]. He underscored that this victory wasn't his alone but belonged to everyone who believed in a better, more progressive Mandaue[1].
The reelection of Ouano's sister, Congresswoman Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon, further adds to the family's political influence, ensuring closer cooperation between the city's local executive and congressional representative for more coordinated governance[1].
The newly elected city officials were proclaimed on May 13, including incumbent Mayor Glenn Bercede as vice mayor-elect. Moreover, the 12 elected city councilors are Joel Seno, Fritz Villamor, Eugene Andaya, Ben Basiga, Jimmy Lumapas, Carlo Fortuna, Maline Cortes-Zafra, June Arcilla, Tingsol Cabahug, Jennifer Del Mar, Anjong Ouano Icalina, and Editha Flores-Cabahug (Kevin, her son, was named as her substitute following her passing)[1].
Part of the One Mandaue slate, which was run by Ouano-Dizon, include mayor-elect Ouano, and six councilors-elect: Seno, Villamor, Andaya, Basiga, Cabahug, and Icalina. Meanwhile, several key local officials from the rival Team Mandaue slate, headed by former Mayor Jonas Cortes, also managed to secure seats, including Bercede, Sanchez, and six councilors: Lumapas, Fortuna, Cortes-Zafra, Arcilla, Del Mar, and Cabahug[1].
[1] - Official election results and proclamation of winners.[2] - Allegations of electoral fraud and discrepancies in voting data from various precincts.[3] - Contestation of Ouano's victory by Jonas Cortes' camp.[4] - Gratitude statement from Ouano following the election.[5] - Coordinated governance and mutual support between Ouano and Ouano-Dizon.
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- The victory of Jonkie Ouano in the 2025 elections for Mandaue City mayor marks a significant return of the Ouano dynasty to politics, following a 18-year hiatus.
- Amidst the general news of the 2025 elections, war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation debates, the close race for the Mandaue City mayor's seat between Jonkie Ouano and incumbent Mayor Jonas Cortes has been a noteworthy point.
- The reelection of Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon to Congress and the victory of Jonkie Ouano as Mandaue City's mayor have strengthened the Ouano family's political influence, potentially impacting policy-and-legislation and governance in Cebu.
