Nerissa Soon-Ruiz

Nerissa Corazon Cortes Soon-Ruiz (born October 31, 1956) is a Filipino politician who currently serves as City Councilor of Mandaue since 2019.^[1]

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Cortes, the birth surname or paternal family name is Soon, and the marital name is Ruiz.

The Honorable Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz
City Councilor of Mandaue
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cebu's 6th congressional district
In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by	Efren T. Herrera
Succeeded by	Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998
Preceded by	Vicente L. dela Serna
Succeeded by	Efren T. Herrera
Personal details
Born	Nerissa Corazon Cortes Soon-Ruiz (1956-10-31) October 31, 1956 (age 68) Mandaue, Cebu
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Lakas (1995–2001, 2007–2010, 2024–present) One Cebu (local party; 2015–present)
Other political affiliations	PDP (2018–2024) UNA (2012–2015) Nacionalista (2010–2012) KAMPI (2004–2007) NPC (1992–1995, 2001–2004)
Residence(s)	Mandaue, Cebu
Alma mater	University of the Visayas
Occupation	Physician, politician

Life

Nerissa Corazon Cortes Soon-Ruiz was born on October 31, 1956, in Mandaue, Cebu, where she still resides to this day. She took up medicine, graduated from the University of the Visayas in Cebu City.^[2] Nerissa was previously married to ex-DILG official Joselito Holganza Ruiz and had 3 children together.

Career

Prior to her political career, Soon-Ruiz is a physician by profession, qualifying in 1991. She ran and won as a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the Sixth District of Cebu from 1992 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2010.^[1]

In 2016, Soon-Ruiz ran for Vice Governor under One Cebu Party, with Gubernatorial Candidate and former GSIS President Winston Garcia as her tandem for the 2016 Philippine Elections, but both lost to Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.^[3] She ran for City Councilor of Mandaue under the lineup of Jonas Cortes in 2019, and was elected.^[1]

Suspension

In 2020, Soon-Ruiz was suspended for 90 days for pending 34 counts of graft and malversation by the Sandiganbayan over allegations of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation to fake non-governmental organizations while serving as a congresswoman from 2007 to 2010.^[4][5]