Ading Cruz
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 | This biographical article is written like a résumé. (June 2025) |
Ading Cruz | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Taguig–Pateros 1st District | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Alan Peter Cayetano |
| Vice Mayor of Taguig | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Mayor | Lani Cayetano (until 2019) Lino Cayetano (2019–2022) |
| Preceded by | George Elias |
| Succeeded by | Arvin Alit |
| Member of the Taguig Municipal Council | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2001 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ricardo Samonte Cruz Jr. September 7, 1959 Taguig, Rizal, Philippines |
| Political party | Nacionalista |
| Spouse | Miriam Grace Cruz |
| Residence | Taguig, |
| Occupation |
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Ricardo "Ading" Samonte Cruz Jr. (born September 7, 1959) is a Filipino politician who has served as the representative of Taguig-Pateros's first district since 2022.[1] A member of the Nacionalista Party, he previously served as vice mayor of Taguig under the mayoralties of Lani and Lino Cayetano, from 2013 to 2022.
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Taguig, Cruz comes from a political family with longstanding ties to the city. Details of his formal education remain undisclosed in public records.
Political career
[edit]Local government (1995–2022)
[edit]Cruz began his political career as a municipal councilor of Taguig from 1995 to 2001, during the period when Taguig was still a municipality. He later served as Vice Mayor of Taguig City for three consecutive terms, from 2013 to 2022.
Representative tenure (2022–present)
[edit]Elected to Congress in 2022, Cruz has:
- Authored bills converting the municipality of Pateros into a city and formally creating new barangays in Taguig
- Co-authored ecotourism development measures
- Proposed the "Sampung Libong Pag-asa" cash assistance program
- Voted against the 2024 absolute divorce bill
- Supported the revocation of Sonshine Media Network International's franchise
- Proposed 10 Regional Trial Court branches and 5 Metropolitan Trial Court branches in Taguig due to its territorial expansion after winning its boundary dispute with Makati[2]
In October 2024, Mayor Lani Cayetano endorsed Cruz over her brother-in-law Lino Cayetano for the 2025 congressional race, citing his "proven track record in public service."[3] Cruz was later re-elected.
Controversies
[edit]In 2024, Cruz drew attention for Criticizing colleague Pammy Zamora over uncoordinated relief operations during Typhoon Carina and the subsequent Taguig City Council resolution supporting his position.
Personal life
[edit]Married to Miriam Grace Cruz, he owns and operates TOWN Farm in Tanay, Rizal. His political career maintains close ties with the Cayetano political family.
References
[edit]- ^ Cruz, More from James Patrick (May 13, 2025). "Lino Cayetano loses Taguig-Pateros congressional race to sister-in-law's bet". rappler.com. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ House Bill No. 10378 (May 8, 2024), An Act Creating Ten (10) Additional Branches of the Regional Trial Court and Five (5) Additional Branches of the Metropolitan Trial Court, in the National Capital Judicial Region, to be Stationed in the City of Taguig, Metro Manila, Amending for the Purpose Section 14, Paragraph (D) and Section 27 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise Known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980", as Amended, and Appropriating Funds Therefor (PDF), House of Representatives, retrieved July 13, 2024
- ^ "Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano chooses Cruz over brother-in-law Lino Cayetano for congressman". Manila Bulletin. October 3, 2024.