In her grief, she found belief: Jamila becomes mayor at 21

BAGUIO CITY — Jamila Ruma didn’t plan on becoming the youngest mayor in the Philippines.

But when her father, Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma, was gunned down during a campaign rally just weeks before the 2025 midterm elections, her life was changed forever.

At just 21 years old, Jamila will now step into her father’s shoes — not just to lead, but to carry forward a legacy built on genuine service and love of community.

Her father’s assassination on the night of 23 April in Barangay Illuru Sur sent shock waves throughout the region. What was supposed to be a joyful rally ended in tragedy.

“It was supposed to be a normal campaign day for us,” Jamila recalled. “We arrived at Barangay Illuru Sur around 6 p.m., and we were overwhelmed by the number of people who came to show their support. My dad had just finished his speech. People were slowly heading home, but he didn’t want to leave yet — he wanted to stay with them until the very end.”

Then the unthinkable happened.

“We were sitting beside each other, chatting. When he stood up, I was still looking at him. Then it happened — one shot, straight to my dad. He fell, and then more shots followed. My mom and I couldn’t run to him — bullets were being fired in our direction. We had to hide. It rained gunfire for about 20 minutes. That’s why we couldn’t bring him to the hospital in time.”

Joel Ruma didn’t survive. And just like that, Jamila's world was upended.

“Daddy, we still can’t accept that you're gone. We’re trying to stay strong because that’s what you would want us to do. You taught me how to be strong,” she said through tears in a public message days after his death.

The grief is still fresh, but in the middle of mourning, Jamila stood up and ran for mayor in her father's place. On 12 May, she won — garnering 5,134 votes and defeating two older, more experienced opponents.

A graduate of De La Salle University with a degree in Development Studies, Jamila was a consistent Dean’s Lister. Her thesis was awarded Best Thesis and Best Presenter — a testament to her academic excellence. But it is her heart, more than her credentials, that has won the trust of the people of Rizal.

“This is a big challenge for me,” she said after the results came in. “But I will continue the kind of service my father started — service that is honest and enough. I promise to serve with sincerity, the way he did.”

Her mother, lawyer Brenda Ruma, who was elected vice mayor, now joins her daughter in public service, continuing the fight not just for justice, but for progress.

“You were supposed to celebrate your birthday in five days,” Jamila had written in a letter to her father. “We had gifts ready for you. Now, you won’t be able to wear them.”

But she also promised to carry on, not just for herself or for her town — but for the man who taught her what it means to lead with heart.

“Don’t worry, your ‘Xerox copy’ will take care of Mom and Pia. I got this. You showed me how to be strong.”

Now, with the eyes of the country on her, Mayor Jamila Ruma is more than just the youngest mayor in the Philippines. She is the daughter of a slain leader, a beacon of hope in a town that has known heartbreak, and a young woman determined to lead with courage, love, and purpose.

And with a heart full of hope and determination, Jamila’s victory is not just hers alone — it is the fulfillment of her father’s dream, the triumph of a mother’s love, and the promise of a brighter future for Rizal.