Agay Cruz
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Agatha Paula "Agay" Aguilar Cruz (born October 1, 1980) is a Filipino lawyer and politician who currently serves as the representative of the 5th District of Bulacan in the
House of Representatives of the Philippines The House of Representatives (; '','' thus commonly referred to as ''Kamara'') is the lower house of Congress of the Philippines, Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the Senate of the Philippines as the upper house. The ...
. She previously served as Mayor of
Guiguinto Guiguinto, officially the Municipality of Guiguinto (), is a municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 113,415 people. It is the birthplace of composer Constancio de Guzman, kn ...
, Bulacan from 2022 to 2025.


Education

Cruz graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, majoring in Marketing Management, from
De La Salle University De La Salle University (), also referred to as DLSU, De La Salle or La Salle, is a private, Catholic coeducational research university run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools with main campus in Taft Avenue, Malate, Man ...
, where her thesis on market research received a gold medal and earned her ''cum laude'' honors. She completed her postgraduate studies at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, graduating with second honors. She passed the bar in 2009 and became a lawyer.


Career


Legal career

Before passing the bar examination in 2008, Cruz interned at the Romulo, Mabanta Buenaventura, Sayoc, and De Los Angeles law firm. She later worked at the Ponce, Enrile, Reyes & Manalastas law firm.


Academic career

Cruz was invited by Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law dean Mel Sta. Maria, her former professor at Ateneo, to join the faculty of the newly-opened law college. Despite the challenges of commuting daily from her native Bulacan to Manila and teaching evening classes while working as a municipal administrator, Cruz accepted the position and became a faculty member.


Political career


Mayor of Guiguinto (2022–2025)

Cruz was elected Mayor of Guiguinto in 2022. During her tenure as mayor, she focused on health initiatives, infrastructure development, and environmental programs. Lawyer Agatha “Agay” Cruz succeeded her father, outgoing Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr., who was proclaimed the winner in the congressional race in the newly created fifth district of Bulacan.


House of Representatives (2025-present)

Cruz was elected as the representative of the 5th District of Bulacan, which covers the municipalities of Guiguinto, Balagtas, Pandi, and Bocaue. As a congresswoman, she has expressed her intention to play a major role in drafting provisions of the national budget for education and the Early Childhood Care and Development program. She also seeks strong oversight to monitor the implementation of Republic Act 11223 (Universal Health Care Act of 2019) and is pushing for detailed urban planning for her district based on the Climate Change Framework mandated by Republic Act 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009).


Advocacy and community work

Cruz founded the Presam Foundation Inc. in Guiguinto, named after her parents Prescila and Ambrosio. The foundation provides scholarships and advocates for women's causes. She also supports Bahay Pangarap Women's Foundation Inc. for abused young women and Tahanang Mapagkalinga ni Madre Rita for abandoned children. She established the sectoral movement "Kaagapay sa Buhay," composed of young volunteer leaders who handle projects related to health, education, inclusivity, and environment. Cruz has organized various community programs including mass weddings (kasalang bayan) and serenades (harana) for persons with disabilities (PWDs), members of the LGBT community, and senior citizens.


Political philosophy and goals

Cruz has expressed her vision of transforming Guiguinto into a progressive city, building upon her father's work in elevating it from a third-class to a first-class municipality. Her long-term goal includes making Guiguinto "the happiest place for a child to grow up in" through initiatives focusing on low crime rates, maternal nutrition, well-equipped educational facilities, flood control, employment opportunities, and technology advancement. She cites
Vico Sotto Victor Ma. Regis "Vico" Nubla Sotto (; born June 17, 1989) is a Filipino politician who has served as the 12th mayor of Pasig since 2019. He previously served as a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Pasig City Council for the first district ...
(Mayor of Pasig City) and
Jacinda Ardern Dame Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern ( ; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand politician and activist who was the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, leader of the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023. She was ...
(former Prime Minister of New Zealand) as her role models in governance.


References

{{reflist Living people Filipino lawyers Lakas–CMD politicians Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Bulacan Mayors of places in Bulacan De La Salle University alumni Ateneo de Manila University alumni People from Bulacan Partido Demokratiko Pilipino politicians Women members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Women mayors of places in the Philippines