Former Mandaue City, Cebu mayor Jonas Cortes asked the Supreme Court Thursday to reverse the decision of the Commission on Elections to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 elections. 

Cortes also asked the high court to issue a Status Quo ante Order to restore his status as an eligible candidate for mayor in the upcoming polls. 

Comelec starts printing training ballots for 2025 polls 

In his petition, Cortes challenged the decision of the Comelec to cancel his COC based on an allegedly erroneous interpretation of election laws.

“Cortes asserts that the COMELEC’s actions constitute a grave abuse of discretion and violate his constitutional rights, including due process and suffrage,” the camp of Cortes said in a statement.

In the petition, Cortes also emphasized that his COC was filed in good faith and free of any patent defects. 

SC issues TRO vs. Comelec on disqualification of candidates with Ombudsman cases

“Cortes further asserts that his disqualification was based on a decision by the Office of the Ombudsman, which was not yet final at the time of filing, thus making the cancellation of his candidacy unjustified,” the camp of Cortes said. 

Last year, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the resolution of the poll body on the disqualification of candidates Cortes, Noel Rosal of Legazpi City and Michael Rama of Cebu City who all have pending appeals before the Office of the Ombudsman on their perpetual disqualification from holding public office.