Ex-mayor Rama: “Comelec’s disqualification rule on me, not yet final”

CEBU, Philippines — Former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has asserted that the Commission on Elections’ ruling disqualifying him from the May 2025 elections is not yet final, citing a standing Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court and an unresolved appeal before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The Supreme Court has not spoken, especially the En banc…In other words, it’s not yet over, until it’s over,” Rama said, responding to the Comelec First Division’s resolution dated November 11, which granted a petition to disqualify him based on an administrative case involving nepotism and grave misconduct.

A petition was filed by Jundel Bontuyan, a former ally, referencing the Ombudsman’s decision in January 2025 to dismiss Rama from service. The decision also included a penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office. This case arose from the appointment of Rama's wife's brothers as casual employees at City Hall.

Rama, however, emphasized that the Ombudsman’s ruling remains under appeal and cannot yet be used to bar him from seeking office.

“Yung decision ng Ombudsman, di pa naman yan final. Administrative case pa yan, under appeal,” he said in an interview over DZME.

He also clarified that he has not received a copy of the Comelec resolution and pointed to the Supreme Court’s TRO, which restrains the Comelec and its agents from enforcing any cancellation or disqualification orders related to his candidacy.

“No. 1, wala pa akong kopya. No. 2, meron pang standing Supreme Court TRO, en banc to COMELEC and all agents,” Rama said.

Rama maintained that the allegations of nepotism and misconduct are untrue, saying, “Wala naman talagang nepotism … at saka walang grave conduct.”

Despite the legal controversy, Rama vowed to continue serving the public that, even after losing in the last elections and the latest development from the COMELEC, especially in the wake of Typhoon Tino’s impact on Cebu.

“Ako ay will continue to be serving … in my province and dito sa city after Typhoon Tino,” he said.

Rama reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law, transparency, and accountability, but also expressed concern over what he described as political oppression.

“I assure the public that I will never give up unless I’m in a situation that I can no longer stand and stomach … that’s fighting for the rule of law. But where is the law if I am already being oppressed?”

Calling for sobriety and respect for the judicial process, Rama appealed to fellow officials in the League of Cities of the Philippines, the Councilors’ League, and the Vice Mayors’ League to allow the legal process to take its course.

“The final outcome of my case rests upon the Supreme Court, under the blessing of God and of course with all the Saints,” he said.

As legal questions remain unresolved, Rama continues to perform his duties in Cebu, in another capacity, through his newly launched foundation, underscoring his belief that public service must persist even amid political and legal adversity.

Rama also took the opportunity to ask fellow Filipinos and the rest to help his kababayans who were victims of typhoon Tino. — /RAE (FREEMAN)