Former PDEA Region 7 chief and former Customs commissioner Yogi Felimon Ruiz | by Glendale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City mayoral aspirant Yogi Filemon Ruiz said that what pushed him to plan to run for mayor in the upcoming midterm 2025 elections was rooted in his observations of how the city had “deteriorated and (had been) neglected” in these past few years.
Ruiz, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7) regional director, said his decision to run this coming 2025 elections had been motivated by his desire to provide solutions to basic services that had been neglected by the city.
“Sad to say, for the past few years, everytime I go home from Manila to Cebu, Manila boomed [while] Cebu City deteriorated… If it’s not for my observation that the city has been neglected, then I will not be wasting my time…,” he said during a media forum on Tuesday, March 19.
Ruiz acknowledged that he was new to politics, however, he affirmed that “pure service” had always been in his blood.
“Politics is new to me but service has always been in my blood. In my 18 years of government service… hopefully, we can provide the services that the Cebuanos need,” he said.
READ: Mayoral candidate Yogi Filemon Ruiz aims to make Cebu City the ‘best city’
Moreover, Ruiz highlighted the basic problems that had been neglected by the city which included issues on peace and order, healthcare services, traffic and mobility solutions, proper waste disposal, and drainage system.
The aspiring city mayor said that if these problems had only been “acted” by the city, he would not indulge himself in the world of politics in pursuit of bringing changes.
Furthermore, Ruiz also confirmed that his slate for 2025 midterm polls was already close to complete from councilors down to district representatives coming from North and South.
READ: If he gets elected, Yogi Ruiz warns drug traders to leave Cebu City
“Rest assured sa atong mga kaigsunan [nga] (from our brothers) the Partido Cebuano has already, more or less completed our lists… complete slate ta [from] councilors and also our district representatives,” he said.
However, Ruiz chose not to further disclose the names of his running mates as of the time being as these individuals are still “asking for time” before they could announce themselves.
Meanwhile, when asked about his thoughts regarding his rivals for the mayoral seat, he stressed the importance of unity and even welcomed the possibility of building an alliance.
“Ang akoa lang tambag ni Archival… akoa lang advice niya, mokuyog siya nako [and] let’s provide the best service to the Cebuanos,” he remarked.
(My advice to Archival..my only advice here, that he will go with me [and] let’s provide the best service to the Cebuanos.)
He also added a message for Cebu City mayor Mike Rama, quoting, “By the time he will decide to endorse me, then I will welcome his endorsement.”