Daughter of slain Cagayan mayor wins mayoral bid at 21
Jamila Ruma, who took over her father's mayoral bid after his tragic death, has been proclaimed the winner in the Rizal, Cagayan mayoral race, making her one of the youngest elected mayors at age 21.
Jamila, the eldest daughter of slain Mayor Joel Ruma, was proclaimed by the town’s board of canvassers on Tuesday, May 13. She garnered a total of 6,298 votes as of this writing, defeating retired general Ralph Mamauag, who has 4,146 votes, and Florence Littaua with 175 votes.
In her Facebook post, Jamila celebrated the win, which she described as a "bittersweet victory."
"We made it daddy," she began. "I will make sure to continue the legacy of my father, Mayor Atty. Joel A. Ruma. Hindi ko po pababayaan ang ating bayan ng Rizal. Patuloy po ang serbisyong SAPAT at TAPAT na sinimulan ng aking ama," she wrote.
"Hawak ko ang pangako ng aking Ama na panatilihing masaya at ligtas ang ating bayan ng Rizal para sa ikauunlad ng bawat Rizaleño," she added.
Her mother, Atty. Brenda Ruma also won her reelection bid for vice mayor.
Tragic death
Jamila substituted her father's candidacy after Joel was shot dead on April 23 during their campaign sortie in Barangay Illuru Sur. He was 54.
"We were just sitting beside each other, having a small chat. When he stood up, my eyes were still following him. My mom was watching him too, as we were getting ready to pack up and go home. Then there it was—one shot, fired straight at my dad. He fell down, and then multiple shots followed. My mom and I couldn’t move or get to him because bullets kept being fired in our direction. We all had to hide, as it was raining gunshots for about 20 minutes. Because of that, we couldn’t get my dad to the hospital in time," she narrated in her April 24 post.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, substitution of candidates is allowed in case of death, disqualification, or withdrawal of another, provided that they are under the same political party.
“The substitute candidate nominated by the political party concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected in accordance with the preceding sections not later than midday of the day of the election,” section 77 of the election code stated.
Jamila filed her certificate of candidacy on April 29, coinciding with her father's birthday.
"No one should have suffered the way that you did. What they did to you was unforgivable, and we will fight to make sure justice will be served," she wrote at the time.
Jamila is currently in her final term of her Development Studies program at De La Salle University Manila. She's a consistent dean's lister and was awarded Best in Thesis and Best Thesis presenter.
