In a significant legal victory, Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) has formed a majority to maintain Rodrigo Manga in his position as Mayor of Sorocaba. The Second Panel of the STF voted 3-0 in a virtual plenary session, confirming the provisional decision that allowed Manga to return to his post on March 31st after a 145-day suspension.
The suspension was originally imposed due to a Federal Police investigation into alleged irregularities in public health contracts and the misappropriation of public funds. Manga, who is affiliated with the Republicanos party and is popularly known as the "TikTok mayor," had been removed from office on November 6, 2025, during the second phase of the "Copia e Cola" (Copy and Paste) operation.
The voting breakdown saw the case's rapporteur, Minister Nunes Marques, vote to keep Manga in office. He was followed by Ministers Dias Toffoli and André Mendonça. Ministers Gilmar Mendes and Luiz Fux have yet to cast their votes, but the majority has already been secured. The final vote is expected to conclude by May 11th.
Minister Nunes Marques had previously granted a preliminary injunction that reinstated Manga, arguing that the mayor's removal constituted an "excessive intervention in the political and administrative sphere of the municipality of Sorocaba." This provisional measure is now being confirmed by the panel's majority.
The legal battle saw the mayor's defense team face setbacks before reaching the nation's highest court. Requests for habeas corpus were denied by both the Regional Federal Court of the 3rd Region (TRF-3) and the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). The TRF-3 had initially ordered the removal to prevent interference with the ongoing investigation.
The Federal Police investigation, which began in May 2022, centers on the allegedly irregular contracting of a social organization to manage two emergency care units (UPAs) in Sorocaba. Based on the police findings, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) formally accused 13 individuals in February, including Mayor Manga, his wife Sirlange Frate Maganhato, and his mother Zoraide Batista Maganhato.
Upon his initial reinstatement in March, Manga celebrated the decision, stating: "Once again, the STF shows itself to be a defender of political rights and of the people." The Supreme Court's definitive ruling now solidifies his position to continue governing the city while the underlying corruption investigation proceeds.
Based on reporting from g1.