CONTRASTING ELECTION BIDS: Mike still in it, Jonas falls by the wayside

Local

THE two dismissed mayors of two highly urbanized cities in Cebu faced different fates in their bid for election as the electoral body released the 2025 official ballot face templates for midterm elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) omitted former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes’s name from the list of candidates on its official website on Wednesday night, January 8.

In August 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Cortes for one year without pay due to grave misconduct. The suspension stemmed from allegations that he appointed an unqualified individual to a city government position in Mandaue.

In October 2024, the Ombudsman dismissed Cortes from office for another case of grave misconduct. This dismissal was related to his failure to enforce regulations against a batching plant operating illegally without the necessary business and environmental permits.

Despite the ongoing issues, Cortes filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 elections. The Supreme Court granted separate petitions for Cortes and dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Comelec in October.

However, the Comelec canceled Cortes’ COC, citing material misrepresentation. The body ruled that Cortes failed to disclose ongoing cases against him, which invalidated his candidacy.

He appealed the decision, filing a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting a TRO. On January 4, the Comelec issued a Certificate of Finality, officially disqualifying him from the race.

In contrast, Rama remains on the ballot for the 2025 elections, following a TRO from the Supreme Court that blocked the Comelec's decision to disqualify him.

Rama had faced suspension before his dismissal. In May 2024, the Ombudsman imposed a six-month preventive suspension on him for grave misconduct related to the non-payment of salaries to city employees.

Then, in October 2024, the Ombudsman dismissed Rama from office for misconduct and nepotism, accusing him of hiring his brothers-in-law to city government positions without proper qualifications or justification.

Despite his dismissal, Rama filed his COC for the 2025 elections.

The Comelec initially disqualified him, but Rama challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. On October 22, 2024, the Court issued a TRO, allowing Rama's candidacy to proceed. His name remains on the ballot for the upcoming elections.(MyTVCebu)