SC issues TRO on reelection disqualification cases vs 2 Cebu mayors

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two chief executives, who were serving suspension orders and are facing dismissal from service by the Office of the Ombudsman, have found a ray of hope.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, Oct. 22, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the reelection disqualification cases against suspended mayors Michael Rama of Cebu City and Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City.

READ: 2 Cebu mayors sacked amid election frenzy

The TRO stops the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from disqualifying Rama and Cortes while the high court reviews the cases involving the two mayors.

The poll body was given by the high court 10 days from receipt of the order to comment on the separate petitions filed by Rama and Cortes who hoped to set aside the decisions of the Ombudsman.

Article continues after this advertisement

The anti-graft office earlier found Rama guilty of nepotism and grave misconduct for appointing his two brothers-in-law to government posts.

Cortes, on the other hand, was found liable for grave misconduct when he allowed a cement batching plant to operate without necessary business and environmental permits.