Yogi shuts down talks he will run with Tomas

CEBU, Philippines — While he has publicly announced his intention to run for Cebu City mayor through a “proclamation rally” last October 5, 2024, former Customs commissioner Yogi Felimon Ruiz still hasn't declared his running mate in the 2025 midterm elections.

During the rally last Saturday at Compania Maritima grounds, Ruiz did not introduce any running mate, but only revealed to the crowd his slate for councilors, albeit also incomplete.

In an interview with the media, Ruiz said that he would not be forced to complete his full slate as he refused to be labeled as a "traditional politician", adding that he will not be completing his slate just for the sake of completing it.

Ruiz further shut down speculations that he will be adopting former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena as his running mate.

He also did not introduce any congressional bets for his party as he would have to be "realistic".

"Based on surveys, there are already certain candidates nga taas na gyud ilang rating," Ruiz said.

But Ruiz said that their electoral run will not be based on having a complete slate, but rather just having a group of individuals who share the same vision as him.

To Ruiz, the said proclamation rally should also put a stop to speculations that he will be sliding down instead as councilor rather than city mayor.

“Yogi Ruiz is here to run as mayor,” he said, as he and his slate are set to file their COCs today.

For the councilor race in Cebu City south, Ruiz introduced; Arlene Salahuddin, Emmanuel Maranga, ex-PBA player and Comedy Actor, Bonel Balingit, Niceforo Iroy, Lawyer Renil Oliva, and Omar Kintanar.

For the north district, Ruiz also introduced Clarissa Otadoy to the race.

Ruiz said that these aspirants went through a series of interviews and assessments to establish their political integrity in his slate.

As for his Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA), Ruiz said he already has one issued by the original party of President Ferdinand "Bong-bong" Marcos Jr.–the Kilusang Bag-ong Lipunan.

It was reported that Ruiz took his oath as the regional chairman of the president's current party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. The national PFP president, former Catanduanes Governor Leandro Verceles Jr. led the induction of Ruiz into the party.

"Ang president niingon nako mismo nga join KBL. So KBL is the original party," said Ruiz.

"Naa namay ni insist nga usa ka grupo nga silay maoy standard bearer kuno, so nganong ako man i-insist akong kaugalingon," he added.

Previously, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia revealed that he had already taken oath under PFP. – (CEBU NEWS)