Photo credit: Jonas Cortes

In a significant twist for Mandaue City’s political landscape, the Supreme Court has stepped in with a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that stops the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) from canceling the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of Mayor Jonas Cortes for the upcoming 2025 national and local elections.

This decision, under G.R. No. 277595, comes after COMELEC's previous resolutions aimed at removing Cortes from the list of candidates, following a petition from Ervin E. Estandarte. The TRO means Cortes' name will remain on the ballots, making him the ninth candidate to be included as COMELEC gears up for a ballot reprint.

The Supreme Court has also directed both COMELEC and Estandarte to submit their comments on Cortes' petition within 15 days, making it clear that this timeline is non-negotiable. This move underscores the high court's commitment to a thorough and fair review of the case, ensuring that all sides are heard before a final decision is made.

For the voters of Mandaue City, this development means they’ll still see Cortes' name when they head to the polls in 2025. It’s a waiting game now, as everyone looks forward to further updates from the court and the election body. But one thing is for sure—Mayor Cortes is still very much in the race, at least for now.