Trigger Warning: Mention of Violence
NEW GENERATION leaders are now entering the political arena, with one member of Generation Z being proclaimed mayor-elect of Rizal, Cagayan, at the age of 21 on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Jamila Ruma, who took over her father’s mayoral bid following his tragic death, has been declared the victor of the mayoral race in their town, making her one of the country’s youngest elected mayors.
Photo Courtesy: Ruma Malakas | Facebook
The eldest daughter of late Mayor Atty. Joel Ruma received 6,298 votes, based on the 96.67 percent of the partial and unofficial results released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
She defeated a former general named Ralph Mamauag, who trailed with 4,146 votes, and Florence Littaua, who received only 175 votes. Despite her huge triumph, Jamila considers it a “bittersweet” moment.
Continue The Legacy
Jamila wrote an emotional post on Facebook before locking her profile, describing the proclamation as a “bittersweet victory” for the family. Nonetheless, she swore to continue her father’s legacy.
“We made it daddy,” she began her lengthy social media post. “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 went on to say, citing how important it is for her to continue what her father started in Rizal.
Jamila graduated from De La Salle University – Manila with a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies. She consistently made the dean’s list and was named Best in Thesis and Best Thesis Presenter.
Furthermore, the 21-year-old mayor-elect was highly involved in her family’s campaign, with her mother Atty. Brenda Ruma also won reelection as their municipality’s Vice Mayor with 6,448 votes.
Tragic Campaign Memory
Jamila’s father, Joel, was supposed to be running for mayor, but he was gunned down on April 23, 2025, during a campaign session, causing Gen Z to file her certificate of candidacy on April 29 to replace her father.
Under the Omnibus Election Code of Comelec, a candidate substitution is permitted only in the event of death, disqualification, or withdrawal of another, provided that they are members of the same political party.
“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,” she narrated in her April 24 post.
“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 went on to share.
Jamila now joins Josh Edward Cobangbang as one of the youngest mayors elected in the country. Cobangbang previously took office as mayor of the Municipality of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, in 2016.
