The political futures of former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes and former Cebu City mayor Mike Rama are already under intense speculation, despite the next national and local elections being more than two years away. Both politicians, who lost their reelection bids in May 2025, are widely expected to attempt a comeback in the May 8, 2028 polls. However, their potential return is clouded by a persistent campaign questioning their legal eligibility, mixing accurate facts with misleading context.
The Social Media Campaign and "Fake News" Claims
In early January 2026, social media became a battleground for early 2028 narratives. While some users posted speculative team-ups like Raymond Garcia and Jun Alcover for Cebu City, or Leni Robredo and Risa Hontiveros for national posts, a more aggressive campaign targeted Jonas Cortes. An anti-Cortes sector circulated a Comelec resolution dated December 18, 2024, which granted a petition to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 election. The implication was that he was perpetually disqualified.
Cortes himself complained on Sunday, January 4, 2026, labeling the circulated news as "fake news" designed to mislead the public. He argued that the resolution was old news being resurrected out of context to damage his future prospects.
Untangling the Legal Web: TROs, Finality, and Election Results
The facts of the case are complex but clear. The Comelec did issue a resolution on September 4, 2024 (Resolution #11044-A) to cancel Cortes's COC. However, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on October 22, 2024. This TRO also covered Mike Rama and Albay governor Noel Rosal, temporarily stopping the Comelec from enforcing the cancellations and ordering the consolidation of their petitions.
Despite this TRO, the Comelec en banc later denied Cortes's motion for reconsideration on December 27, 2024. A certification dated January 3, 2025, stated that the cancellation of his COC was final and executory under Comelec rules—but crucially added the clause "unless restrained by the Supreme Court." Since the SC TRO was already in effect, the Comelec's certification was, in practice, held in abeyance.
As a result, both Cortes and Rama were allowed to run in the May 2025 elections. Cortes participated but lost the Mandaue City mayoral race, garnering 94,448 votes (39.88%) against winner Jonkie Ouano's 101,549 votes (42.87%). In Cebu City, Mike Rama placed third behind winner Nestor Archival. Their losses were at the ballot box, not due to disqualification at that time.
What This Means for 2028
The core issues for the next election cycle are now coming into focus. First, the disqualification cases against Cortes and Rama regarding the 2025 elections are largely moot, except for pending election protests. Second, the legal question of their right to run in 2028 remains alive. The Comelec cases have been decided but are still on appeal at the Supreme Court.
The ultimate arbiter of their political fate is the Supreme Court, which must rule on the appeals of the Ombudsman's dismissal orders that carried the penalty of disqualification. A reversal by the high court could clear their path legally.
However, the final decision does not rest with the courts alone. As the 2025 results showed, even with legal permission to run, the voters must also choose them at the polls. For Cortes and Rama to successfully stage a comeback in 2028, they will need favor both from the justices at Padre Faura and from the electorate of their respective cities.
Until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling, the disqualification issue will undoubtedly remain a key weapon for their political rivals, ensuring that this legal and political drama will continue to unfold as the 2028 elections draw nearer.
