Jamila Ruma, a 21-year-old with no political experience, stepped into the spotlight as Rizal, Cagayan’s new mayor, possibly the country’s youngest. Her victory, born from the ashes of her father’s assassination, can this young leader turn tragedy into triumph for her town?
Ruma secured 6,298 votes (48.27%), outpacing retired general Ralph Mamauag (4,146 votes) and Florence Littaua (175 votes), with 96.67% of precincts reporting.
She substituted for her father, Mayor Joel Ruma, under the Lakas party, filing her candidacy on April 29—his would-be 55th birthday. Her mother, Brenda Ruma, clinched reelection as vice mayor with 6,448 votes, cementing the Ruma family’s hold on Rizal since 2010.
A De La Salle University graduate with a Development Studies degree, Ruma earned Best Thesis honors, showcasing her academic grit. Supporters championed her as a beacon of her father’s “honest service.” In a Facebook post, she called the win “bittersweet,” pledging to keep Rizal “safe and happy.”
Joel Ruma’s killing on April 23 at a rally in Barangay Illuru Sur, where Jamila hid amid gunfire, shook the community. With assailants still at large, some speculate voter sympathy and the Ruma name fueled her win. Others see a young woman thrust into leadership, carrying a legacy while facing questions of justice and security.
Yet, Jamila’s story is one of hope soaring above sorrow. Her election signals a new dawn for Rizal, where a 21-year-old’s courage and vision promise to unite a grieving town.
With her family’s legacy as her foundation, she’s poised to lead with heart, proving that even the youngest can rise to meet destiny’s call. Rizal’s future shines brighter because Jamila dared to step forward, turning loss into a victorious beginning.
