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

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.

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“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.