Yogi Ruiz: It’s time for Cebu City to have a new leader

Local

A MAYORAL aspirant in Cebu City said that political dynasties are preventing the city from progressing.

Former Bureau of Customs head Yogi Ruiz stated that it is time for the city to elect new leaders to address recurring concerns, which he believes have been overlooked by the same group of elected officials.

In an interview shortly after he filed his certificate of candidacy on Monday, October 7, he said that the people should consider candidates who do not come from any political family, like himself, a first-time candidate entering politics.

"They have been selecting the same kind of people, the same names, the same set of politicians—magpuli-puli og kolor pero mao rang nawnga," he said.

He added that while he is new to politics, he has been serving the public for 18 years, holding various government positions.

Ruiz took pride in his past experiences, including his tenure as commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, where he claimed the agency collected its highest revenue, amassing P800 billion in total.

Ruiz also served as a regional director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Central Visayas.

Ruiz also noted that other urban cities progressed when they elected new leaders.

"When Manila elected a new mayor, Manila progressed. When Pasig City elected a new mayor, Pasig City progressed," he said.

"Pila na sila katuig diha, atong syudad wala'y kalamboan,"

Ruiz added.

For the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, names from prominent political clans—both first-time candidates and those seeking reelection—are emerging.

These include Ruiz's possible rival for the mayoral seat, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who comes from a lineage of political figures, including Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Third District Representative Pablo John Garcia, who are his aunt and uncle, respectively.

Garcia is also a cousin of Barili Mayor John-John Garcia.

Reelectionist Mayor Michael Rama, who is facing a dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman, is the uncle of another reelectionist, Cebu City South District Congressman Edu Rama.

The mayor's son, Mikel, is also running for Cebu City District Councilor.

Meanwhile, Ruiz said during his guest appearance on MyTV Cebu's Openline that he will provide solutions to the “deteriorated Cebu.”

He said his decision to enter politics stemmed from his aspiration to address basic services that he believes have been “neglected by the city.”(MyTVCebu)