Ruiz: I am the President’s chosen candidate for Cebu City mayor

CEBU, Philippines — Former Customs Commissioner Yogi Felimon Ruiz formalizes his bid for mayor in the 2025 midterm elections yesterday with promise to bring in “real change” in Cebu City.

Ruiz claims that he is the candidate of choice of President Bongbong Marcos who advised him to run under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the original party of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

He previously took his oath under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Marcos’ present party, but later on shifted to KBL.

"Why would I insist nga naa namay usa ka kandidato nga nag sige siya’g insist nga siya kuno ang standard bearer, nganong ako pa man ipugos akong kaugalingon?" he said.

Ruiz explained that during his oath-taking with KBL, the President spoke to their group.

"As simple as that. Let the President talk. Sakto na ng ang laing tawo ang mangangkon, ang Presidente pasultia," said Ruiz.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia recently announced that he is the standard bearer of PFP and has already taken oath with the party.

Without a running mate, Ruiz filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City Office along with his slate and about a hundred supporters, donning white and blue colors.

“Party Cebuano” lineup include Clarissa Otadoy and Niceforo Iroy for North District Councilors. For the South District, the slate includes Arlene Sanoh-Salahuddin, Emmanuel Maranga, Atty Renil Oliva, incumbent Cogon Pardo Councilor Omar Kintanar, and basketball legend Bonel "Gentle Giant" Balingit.

Ruiz said there are talks on adopting a vice mayor but these are still too early to talk about it.

“These people (councilor aspirants) behind me, these are people with impeccable characters, ato ni silang na screen, ato ni silang na interview. They share the same vision as I have…we share the same goal nga atong palambuon ang syudad sa Sugbo,” he told reporters.

Among Ruiz' seven priority programs are to solve the problems of flooding, garbage, and traffic, to provide a peace and order solution, to improve health and social services, to provide livelihood assistance, and to provide social housing. — (FREEMAN)