Ading Cruz
{{short description|Filipino politician (born 1959)}}
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{{BLP one source|date=June 2025}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ading Cruz
| image = Rep._Ricardo_Cruz_Jr._(19th_Congress).jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2022
| office = Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Taguig-Pateros's 1st district
| term_start = June 30, 2022
| term_end =
| predecessor = Alan Peter Cayetano
| successor =
| office1 = Vice Mayor of Taguig
| term_start1 = June 30, 2013
| term_end1 = June 30, 2022
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Mayor}}
| 1namedata1 = Lani Cayetano
Lino Cayetano
| predecessor1 = George Elias
| successor1 = Arvin Ian Alit
| office2 = Member of the Taguig Municipal Council
| term_start2 = June 30, 1995
| term_end2 = June 30, 2001
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| birth_name = Ricardo Samonte Cruz Jr.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|09|07}}
| birth_place = Taguig, Philippines
| spouse = Miriam Grace Cruz
| party = Nacionalista Party (2025–present)
| otherparty =
| residence = Taguig, Metro Manila
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Politician
- agriculturist
}}
| website =
}}
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. 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
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
= Local government (1995–2022) =
Cruz began his political career as:
- Councilor (1995–2001) during Taguig's municipal period
- Vice Mayor (2013–2022) across three consecutive terms
During his vice mayoralty, he worked closely with Mayor Lani Cayetano on urban development projects and disaster response programs.
= Congressional tenure (2022–present) =
Elected to Congress in 2022, Cruz has:
- Authored bills 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
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."{{cite news |title=Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano chooses Cruz over brother-in-law Lino Cayetano for congressman |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/3/taguig-mayor-lani-cayetano-chooses-cruz-over-brother-in-law-lino-cayetano-for-congressman |work=Manila Bulletin |date=October 3, 2024}}
Controversies
In 2024, Cruz drew attention for:
- Criticizing colleague Pammy Zamora over uncoordinated relief operations during Typhoon Carina
- The subsequent Taguig City Council resolution supporting his position
Personal life
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
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.congress.gov.ph/members/ House of Representatives profile]
- [https://taguig.gov.ph Taguig City Government]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruz, Ricardo}}
Category:Nacionalista Party politicians
Category:Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Taguig