Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede has assumed the post of acting mayor, as Mayor Jonas Cortes is under preventive suspension for one year that was ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Bercede led the ceremony in Mandaue City that commemorated “National Heroes Day” on August 26, 2024.

During the program, Bercede was introduced as “acting mayor,” and he also delivered the inspirational message.

Acting Vice Mayor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and the rest of the city councilors joined Bercede during the program.

In his speech, Acting Mayor Bercede expressed his support to suspended Mayor Cortes.  

In an interview, Bercede said he received a call from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) over the weekend on his assumption to office as acting mayor.

He also received a copy of the order sent to him through social media.

"Nitawag siya Saturday pero ang hard copy Sunday, ang sa diri ra gisendan ra ko…we abide sa decision sa Ombudsman, unya mao lagi na makaingon ko nga kalit kaayo ba,” Bercede said. 

He pointed out that he already served as acting mayor a couple of times whenever the mayor is on leave, or while on travel, but this will be his first to serve on a longer period.

Bercede vowed to sustain the programs and projects started by Cortes’ administration such as the groundbreaking of the new City Hall building in line with the Charter Day celebration of Mandaue City this week.

"Og unsay nasugdan niya ako gyung ipadayon - kaabag nga dili mobabag, way mabag-o sa implementation sa projects, way mabag-o even sa mga staff,” Bercede said.

The acting mayor said that the suspension could be politically motivated, as the order is based on an appointment of the head of the City Social Welfare Office.

“Kadto ni-file kaha to, kinsa man to sila wa gani ko kaila adto, daghan naman gud na, dili kay kadto ra,” Bercede said.