Ading Cruz

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Samonte and the surname or paternal family name is Cruz.

Ricardo "Ading" Samonte Cruz Jr. (born September 7, 1959) is a Filipino politician who has served as the representative of Taguig-Pateros's first district since 2022.^[1] A member of the Nacionalista Party, he previously served as vice mayor of Taguig under the mayoralties of Lani and Lino Cayetano, from 2013 to 2022.

Ading Cruz
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Taguig–Pateros 1st District
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Alan Peter Cayetano
Vice Mayor of Taguig
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Mayor	Lani Cayetano (until 2019) Lino Cayetano (2019–2022)
Preceded by	George Elias
Succeeded by	Arvin Alit
Member of the Taguig Municipal Council
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2001
Personal details
Born	Ricardo Samonte Cruz Jr. (1959-09-07) September 7, 1959 (age 66) Taguig, Rizal, Philippines
Political party	Nacionalista
Spouse	Miriam Grace Cruz
Residence	Taguig,
Occupation	Politician agriculturist

Early life and education

Born in Taguig, Cruz comes from a political family with longstanding ties to the city. Details of his formal education remain undisclosed in public records.

Political career

Local government (1995–2022)

Cruz began his political career as a municipal councilor of Taguig from 1995 to 2001, during the period when Taguig was still a municipality. He later served as Vice Mayor of Taguig City for three consecutive terms, from 2013 to 2022.

Representative tenure (2022–present)

Cruz was first elected to Congress in 2022. In his first term, he has filed and supported bills related to the conversion of Pateros into a city, the creation of new barangays in Taguig, ecotourism development, and a cash assistance program. He also authored a bill establishing new trial court branches in Taguig in the aftermath its boundary dispute settlement with Makati.^[2]

Cruz voted against the 2024 absolute divorce bill and supported the revocation of Sonshine Media Network International's franchise.

In October 2024, Mayor Lani Cayetano endorsed Cruz over her brother-in-law Lino Cayetano for the 2025 congressional race, citing his "proven track record in public service."^[3] Cruz was later re-elected.

Controversies

In 2024, Cruz criticized fellow Taguig representative Pammy Zamora over uncoordinated relief operations during Typhoon Carina. Subsequently, the Taguig City Council passed a resolution expressing support for his criticism.

Personal life

Cruz is married to Miriam Grace Cruz and is associated with the Cayetano political family. He also operates a farm in Tanay, Rizal.