CEBU, Philippines — The name of dismissed Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has been excluded from the initial list of candidates for the May 2025 elections, while the name of dismissed Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama is still on the list.
This was based on the official release of template ballots by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
However, Mandaue City Administrator Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan said they remain hopeful that Cortes' name will still appear on the ballots.
Calipayan told reporters yesterday, January 9, 2025, that the process would be handled in accordance with assurances from Comelec Chairman George Garcia, who stated that any Supreme Court decisions, including the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) or similar rulings, would be acknowledged by Comelec.
“I think mao man pod na no, mu-respect man gyud na ang Commission on Elections kung unsay decision sa Supreme Court,” said Calipayan.
He added that the template ballots are subject to revisions due to pending final court resolutions.
Calipayan also mentioned that their optimism stems from the Comelec’s disclaimer on its template ballots for all regions, stating that “the ballot face templates are without prejudice to the decision or resolution of the Commission in cases that are still pending for its consideration which may affect the list of candidates on the official ballots.”
He mentioned that they are still hopeful Cortes' case will be included in the Supreme Court session scheduled for January 14, where it could be considered.
But Calipayan disclosed that they have not yet received confirmation on whether Cortes' petition will be part of the agenda.
“We are hoping because we filed it on time, and sufficient time has passed for it to be included in the agenda,” he said.
Calipayan explained that Cortes' petition could be granted ex parte, meaning no hearing would be required, and the court would decide based on the merits of the petition and the facts provided.
“We are hopeful that Mayor Cortes will be included in the ballot once the TRO and the status quo ante order will go out. And even if dili gyud ta kaabot kay ma-imprinta na ang balota, we are also hopeful based on the pronouncement of Comelec,” said Calipayan.
“Even if pila nalang ka days then they will comply if naaymuggawas nga status quo ante order or TRO by the Supreme Court they will still find a way to comply,” he furthered.
For Calipayan, Comelec’s statement is "positive," implying that the electoral body will adhere to the order of the highest court.
Calipayan added that supporters of Cortes have been organizing prayer vigils each night at different chapels throughout the city, praying for a favorable outcome that would allow Cortes to run in the elections.
"Our supporters are innovating. They gather for prayer for this specific intention nga makadagan si Mayor (Cortes),” Calipayan said.
En Banc
To recall, the Comelec En Banc has issued a Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment in the earlier decision to cancel Cortes' COC, which cited the 1993 Comelec Rules of Procedure.
The certificate states that all decisions or resolutions of the Comelec En Banc shall become final and executory after five days from its promulgation, "unless restrained by the Supreme Court."
With the entry of judgment, as certified by the Clerk of the Commission, lawyer Genesis M. Gatdula, the Comelec en banc has declared that Cortes is out of the mayoral race for Mandaue City.
“No restraining order has been issued by the Supreme Court within five (5) days from receipt of the parties of the Resolution that would preclude the 27 December 2024 Resolution of this Commission (En Banc) from being final and executory," according to the Certificate of Finality signed by Gatdula.
On the other hand, Cortes filed a petition for Certiorari which includes an application for the “Extremely Urgent Issuance of a Status Quo Ante Order and Urgent Motion for the Conduct of a Special Raffle” last January 2, 2025.
Cortes also filed for a Status Quo Ante Order and a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to block the Comelec resolution that canceled Cortes’ Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
The petition he filed with the Supreme Court remains pending as of this writing.
Rama’s bid still a go
As for Rama’s camp, Lawyer Mikel Rama, the dismissed mayor’s eldest son shared the latest development to the public yesterday.
“Ang COMELEC nipagawas na sa ilang Official ballot face template..Diha nimo makita nga diha, ang akong amahan, si mayor Michael “Mike” Rama, nagpabilin nga official candidate isip mayor sa dakbayan sa Sugbo karong umaabot nga piniliay 2025,” atty.Mikel said via Facebook.
This proves that the elder Rama’s re-election bid as mayor of Cebu City remains a go, he said.
“Walay kamatuoran ang kanang nadunggan ninyo nga propaganda nga siya disqualified, og dili na paga botaran,” Atty. Mikel added.
Atty. Mikel also dismissed rumors that should his father win in the next election, he will not be able to serve anew.
“Ug kanang mga storya nga kon makadaog man gani siya dili na siya makalingkod, dili kana tinuod,” he added.
“Atong hinumduman nga ang kabubot-on sa katawhan maoy tinubdan sa tanang gahum ug dili kani mapildi sa bisan unsa pang pulitikanhong pag daug-daug,” Atty. Mikel stressed.
Mikel, who is also running for city councilor in the South District of Cebu City, thanked all their supporters for their support.
“Mao na nga dako kayo among pasalamat ninyo atong mga supporters sa inyong way puas ug kanunayng pagsuporta..Kamo ang gahatag namo ug kadasig ug inspirasyon sa atong grupo, Partido Barug Bag-ong Sugbo Team Rama nga mupadayon ang atong pakigbisog ug sa pagbarug alang sa kaayuhan sa katawhan sa atong pinalanggang dakbayan,” Atty.Mikel ended.
Mayor Rama, for his part, praises God for the timing, saying it’s another miracle from Sto.Nino to him.
Clarification
Meanwhile, Comelec-7 Regional Director Francisco Pobe said he would seek clarification from the Comelec Central Office regarding the status of ballot printing in Central Visayas.
But Comelec Chairman George Garcia, in an interview with TV broadcaster Karen Davila in the segment Hot Topic in ANC, said that even with all the pending and unresolved disqualification cases, the Commission will have to proceed with the printing of ballots for the upcoming 2025 national and local elections.
Garcia shared that the commission has no choice but to continue with the printing schedule to meet their deadline.
“We have to proceed with the printing of the ballots and we cannot wait for any disposition by our own honorable Supreme Court (SC),” said Garcia.
He mentioned that there will be 71 million ballots to be printed in the national printing office.
However, he assured the public that if a finality and executory decision disqualifying a candidate is issued, their name will be excluded unless a temporary restraining order (TRO) is granted by the highest court.
Garcia noted that once TROs are issued by SC, there will surely be potential cost in the reprinting of ballots.
“In any event then we can always re-order any print of the ballots that were already printed. Alam natin na may gastos po talaga yan and this is not to influence the decision of our court,” he added.
However, he pointed out that upon the reprinting of ballots, the electoral body cannot assign new numbers to candidates since numbers were already done through raffle draw.
Instead, the names will have to be placed at the bottom.
It would take approximately 77 days of printing if no major problems occur.
The timeline already includes the printing process along with the manual and automated verification procedures.
“When ballots are printed, it will be manually verified by several numbers or hundreds of people at the national printing office. They have to check the color, sizes, names properly printed, and the circle,” Garcia explained. — Jonnavie Villa/ATO (FREEMAN)