Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano picked incumbent Rep. Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. instead of his brother-in-law and former mayor Lino Cayetano to run for congressman in the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros in the May 12, 2025 national and local elections.
On Oct. 2, Lino Cayetano, also a TV director, declared that he will be running for congressman in the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros.
Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano together with city officials (Photo from Rep. Cruz’s Facebook account)
The reelection announcement by Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. (Screenshot from Rep. Cruz’s Facebook account)
TV director and former Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano (Screenshot from Lino Cayetano’s Facebook video)
“Gusto kong ianunsyo ang aking desisyon na tumakbo bilang kinatawan ng unang distrito ng Taguig at Pateros (I would like to announce my desisyon to run for representative of the First District of Taguig and Pateros),” he said.
He added, “Naniniwala ho ako na malaki ho ang mai-aambag ko pagdating ho sa pagbibigay ng mas mas malakas na boses para sa ating mga kababayan (I believe that I will contribute more when it comes to providing a bigger voice for our countrymen).”
Cruz was Lino Cayetano’s vice mayor when he served as mayor of Taguig from 2019 to 2022. Lino Cayetano did not run for reelection and gave way to Lani Cayetano.
After Lino Cayetano made his announcement, Cruz posted on Facebook that he will seek reelection under Lani Cayetano’s group to declare that he has the support of the mayor.
“Ako pa rin po Ang Tatakbong Congressman sa District 1 at Pateros Sa Grupo po ni Mayor Lani Cayetano. Ricardo Ading Cruz po ay handa po muling maglingkod sa inyo bilang Congressman ng District 1 ng Taguig at Pateros (I will still be the one who will run as Congressman in District 1 and Pateros in the group of Mayor Lani Cayetano. Ricardo Ading Cruz is ready to serve you again as Congressman of District 1 of Taguig and Pateros),” declared Cruz.
Cruz also reposted a Facebook reel showing Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Lino’s brother, endorsing him.
As of this writing, there are three candidates for congressman for the 1st District of Taguig and Pateros.
Besides, Lino Cayetano and Cruz, Engr. Allan Cerafica filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party.
Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. reposted this Facebook reel showing him being endorsed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Screenshot from Gumiho Woong and Totong Manosca’s Facebook reel)
Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano together with city officials (Photos from Rep. Cruz’s Facebook account)
The three candidates running for congressman in the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros are (from left) Lino Cayetano, incumbent Rep. Ricardo "Ading" Cruz Jr. and Engr. Allan Cerafica (Screenshot from Lino Cayetano's Facebook video, and photos from Rep. Cruz and Cerafica's Facebook accounts)