CEBU CITY — Suspended Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has officially announced his plan to run for reelection in the 2025 midterm elections. Glenn Bercede, his longtime ally and currently the acting mayor of the city, will join Cortes as his vice mayoral candidate. Cortes announced this during the "Istorya Ta! A Move for Good Governance and Transparency" forum on September 19. Addressing rumors about his eligibility, Cortes reassured supporters that his suspension does not prevent him from running in future elections. "I can still run," he said. Last month, the Ombudsman slapped Cortes with a 12-month suspension without pay due to his appointment of an unqualified officer during his term. The suspension, which took effect on August 12, does not bar him from seeking public office in future elections. Cortes also revealed part of his lineup, saying incumbent city councilors Marie Imamaline Cortes-Zafra, Jimmy Lumapas, Jennifer del Mar, Jun Arcilla, Editha Cabahug, Oscar del Castillo and Dante Borbajo will run again under his ticket. He added that former vice mayor Carlo Fortuna, Ernie Manatad, Marco Sanchez and Junjie Espina will also join his team. He also confirmed that provincial board member Glenn Soco and outgoing city councilor Malcolm Sanchez will run as board members under his camp. Cortes plans to announce the full slate of his team by October 8. Bercede expressed his strong support for Cortes, highlighting their long-standing partnership since their days as city councilors. He said he always backed the suspended mayor's initiatives "without creating obstacles." As the Cortes-Bercede team takes shape, other potential candidates are also emerging. Provincial board member Thadeo Jovito Ouano, the brother of Mandaue City's lone district Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, reportedly plans to run for mayor of Mandaue City. Meanwhile, rumors have circulated that Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva is considering running for the city's congressional seat. Oliva, however, clarified that the interest comes from pressure within the business community and not from Team Cortes. She said that her main focus remains on her duties as city treasurer, although she did not rule out running for public office in the near future.