The suspended mayor of Cebu City has filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama seeks reelection in the 2025 midterm polls.

Rama said, in a press conference, that he is not affected by the decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss him from the service.

In a 17-page decision of the Ombudsman, the mayor was found guilty of nepotism and grave misconduct in relation to hiring two of his wife’s siblings as employees of the Cebu City Hall.

He said he is waiting for a copy of the decision.

Rama negated he hired his wife’s two brothers. He pointed out that his brothers-in-law are already employees of the Cebu City Government in the past two administrations.

Atty. Collin Rosell, suspended city administrator, said that they will exhaust all legal remedies once they receive a copy of the order.

Atty. Rosell said they will file their motion before the Court of Appeals or might go directly to the Supreme Court.

In the September 25, 2024 order of the Ombudsman, Rama is also meted perpetual disqualification for reemployment in government service. Cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, excluding accrued leave credits, were also ordered.

Rama believes that the order is likely politically motivated, but he did not drop names as to which politician is behind the accusation.

He filed his COC on October 4, 2024 at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City.