Before occupying the city's highest office, Bagatsing served as a Representative to Congress for Manila, member of Cabinet, lawyer, lay minister, and policeman.

Bagatsing first entered public service in the 1957 elections when his province mate, then-presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines José Yulo, convinced him to run for Congress in Manila's then third district of Sampaloc, Sta.

During his stint at PARGO, Bagatsing was dubbed by the Philippine Free Press as "The Incorruptible" for his prosecution of several high-profile corruption cases against prominent and high-ranking officials, including the conviction and expulsion of a city mayor for graft.

He was a leading reformer and a relentless crusader against the spread of communism in the Asia-Pacific region of the world as the founding chairman of the Philippine Anti-Communist League.

He was among the three most critically injured, along with Senators Jovito Salonga and Sergio Osmeña, Jr., who nearly lost their lives as they were front and center on the elevated platform, which was the epicenter of the bomb blast.

Others who were also hurt included prominent Philippine politicians such as Gerardo Roxas, Eva Estrada-Kalaw, Genaro Magsaysay, Ramon Mitra, Eddie Ilarde, Salipada Pendatun, Roberto Oca Jr. and John Osmeña.

Bagatsing was briefly clinically dead until he was revived by emergency medical staff in the hospital, being confined for almost three months while undergoing numerous delicate operations.

He also established several multi-sectoral cooperatives especially benefiting the vendors in the city's public markets, providing vital financial assistance and livelihood opportunities for Manila's less fortunate citizens.

The Anak ng Maynilà (Child of Manila) Youth Leadership Training Program, which was a self-help seminar and spiritual improvement retreat, regularly held in the nearby rural, coastal and mountain areas of Cavite, Batangas and Alabang, was also implemented by Bagatsing, as the multitudes of Manila's young, the children and students, especially the disadvantaged, would always look forward, with eager anticipation and excitement, to be part of this worthwhile endeavor.

Bagatsing also made sure to take good care of the welfare of the city's workers and public school teachers by increasing their salaries, wages and benefits.

Just days prior to the main event, in order to emphasize and promote the core essence of the Miss Universe movement's advocacy, cause, and purpose, Bagatsing had organised a local festival featuring a splendid procession of select pageant candidates parading around and throughout Manila's inner-streets, communities, and barangays, with the aim of bringing closer together the foreign international beauties and the city's common folk.

The following year, adding to its global acclaim, the city's name became renowned in the sporting world due to the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Immediately after advancing Manila's presence in the East Atlantic Seaboard, Bagatsing then focused towards the Pacific side, strengthening its close ties with the City and Borough of San Francisco, overseeing many mutual economic and cultural exchanges involving the two key bay cities, including high-profile back-to-back official missions and "sister-city summits" between then-San Francisco Mayor, now U.S.

Bagatsing, a Liberal Party stalwart, was able to keep his post during the entire martial law years by maintaining his clean public service record.

He also had a genuine concern for persons with disabilities, and through the Mahaveer Foundation, would often help underprivileged amputees by giving them artificial prosthetic legs, as well as, wheelchairs and crutches.

Since his death, the annual Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Cup has been held on his birth anniversary, becoming one of the biggest horse-racing festivals in the country, and whose receipts and earnings go to different charities.

Asides from his passion for horses, Bagatsing also dabbled in cattle raising, as well as, enjoyed planting all kinds of fruit bearing trees in his other farms and agricultural properties.

Moreover, Bagatsing is revered for founding a long-continuing annual Holy Week tradition in Sampaloc, which is the public Way of the Cross, popularly known as the "Karga Krus" procession every Good Friday, wherein all devotees take turns bearing a life-size crucifix around the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, situated in the streets and Barangays of the Parish district.

When he was still alive, Bagatsing would always mark his birthday by conducting a two-day spiritual retreat in the company of the imprisoned accused at the Manila City Jail, often breaking bread with them in their cells and leading them to reflection and prayer at the prison chapel.

Famed horses Hagdang Bato and Low Profile were the winners for the past two editions of the Challenge of the Champions Cup in honor of Bagatsing himself.