Ruiz: I’m not being used

CEBU, Philippines — Former Customs commissioner Yogi Ruiz denied speculations that someone is behind his candidacy to get an advantage over another mayoralty candidate in Cebu City. He said he is taking on the challenge because he himself is no longer happy with what the city has become.

“Di natinuod uy! Ngano gud tawng magdagan-dagan man ta para lang ana… Ang akong damgo nagsugod g’yud ni sa tanto nakong uli-uli gikan ko’g Manila, uli ko’g Cebu kay na destino ko’g Manila, ang Manila nilambo, ang atong syudad sa Sugbo, way kalambuan… So mao ni akong damgo karon, ang atong kalambuan,” Ruiz said in yesterday’s press conference at Golden Prince Hotel.

Ruiz’ dream is to reclaim the city’s title as the “Queen City of the South” by restoring the dignity in governance, bringing back genuine service to the people, and championing localized, sustainable, and inclusive development.

“Himuon nato ug usa ka hapsay nga siyudad, usa ka progresibo nga siyudad… Kon mudaog si Yogi Felimon Ruiz, dili man ako ang mudaog, ang mudaog, ang mga katawhan man kay akong tagaan ug pang-gubyerno nga pamolitika,” he said.

Ruiz is without a running mate, but he said that whoever wins as vice is okay with him as they are all capable, including Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, former mayor Tomas Osmeña, and former city councilor Joey Daluz.

“At the end of the day, mukuyog raman gihapon ang bise mayor sa atoa, kay kahibalo man ta nga ang atong tumong ug tinguha para man sa kaayuhan sa atong siyudad,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said that during his consultative meetings prior to the filing of candidacy for this May’s midterm election, the general sentiment of the Cebuanos is the desire for change and a new leader, he said that paved the way for his candidacy.

However, for vice mayor, Cebuanos already have a preference for whom they want, and Ruiz decided just to lead Partido Cebuano by himself.

“Naghimo pud ko’g consultative meetings sa atong mga barangays, pangutana nako sila kinsay ilang ganahan, unsay ilang mga problema ug kinsay ilang ganahan kon mag pili ug bise mayor, kinsay ilang ganahan ug pili nga mayor, tanan ilang tubag pagpili nag bise-mayor, naa nay mga dominante nga mga pangalan, tag-as ug pursyento,ug rating… pero kung pangutan-on nimo’g kinsay ilang ganahan pagka mayor, uniform ilang tubag, ‘gipul-an nami ana nila, gusto na mi’g kabag-uhan,’ mao ni karon, nidagan ta para muhatag ug kabag-uhan ug solusyon sa problema sa atong siyudad,” Ruiz said.

And to help Ruiz with the city’s problems are equally-competent bets in the City Council.

“Kana silang tanan, akong nakita, puro sila competent, puro sila kamao sa ilang mga tagsa-tagsa ka field of expertise… Nganong mopili paman ko’g bise mayor, nga kani silang tanan (his line-up) nakatrabaho ko naman ni sila? ”he added.

Together with Ruiz in Partido Cebuano are three bets from the North District: Ren Ranche who wants to focus on livelihood programs, Carbon vendor-official Clarissa “Larry” Otadoy who wants to help fellow vendors’ rights while also keeping the prices of goods cheap, and former city planner Niceforo Iroy who wants to ensure that the marginalized sector will not be left out.

In the South District, there’s Susan Jaca Berido who will focus on health and social services alongside former PBA player Bonel Balingit who also looks into reinforcing the police force with force multipliers, Renil Oliva on socialized housing, together with Emman Maranga, Arlene Salahuddin for Muslim affairs and the rest of the minority sector, and Vic Buendia for barangay affairs.

Ruiz said he will be bringing to City Hall his expertise and experiences in working under different government agencies especially on the national level.

“Nakaya man gani nato ang (BOC) national agency, napa-increase nato ang collection, hain na kaha siyudad sa Sugbo nga usa ra kabuok… Makaya nato ni na mapaanindot ni,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz also said there is a breakdown of law and order in the city and thus the drugs problem is here again.

“Nganong nagkadaghan man balik ang drugas? Unsa may pangutana ana? Siguro nakit-an nila karon nga wa sila nahadlok sa nagdumala karon… wa sila nahadlok sa mga naglingkod karon. Mahatagan lang ta’g leader nga naay kaisog, naay experiensya sa pagpukna aning ginadiling droga, siguro makaingon ta nga mahibalik nato ang siyudad sa Sugbo sa iyang kahapsay,” Ruiz said.

When asked if he would also wage a war against drugs, he said: “I’ve already been strict against crimes, pero dika kinahanglan mangyatak ug tawhanong katungod sa pag implementar sa balaod… Daghag pamaagi, let us implement the latest technology,” he said.

Ruiz took a cue from Baguio City’s hi-tech monitoring to keep its peace and order while also looking into the full digitalization and putting up of an efficient one-stop shop in City Hall to make services fast and efficient. (CEBU NEWS)