THE Lakas-CMD is gaining more strength as two veteran lawmakers and 53 local leaders have joined its rank.

La Union Rep. Sandra Eriguel and Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma jumped to Lakas-CMD making them the 27th and 28th members from various congressional districts nationwide of the political party in the House of Representatives.

With their latest addition, the Lakas-CMD now has 50 members of which 28 are district representatives and 22 are party-list allies.

Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD president Martin Romualdez welcomed them to the party through separate oath taking ceremonies for new party members, including the mass oath taking Saturday afternoon.

“We welcome our fellow legislators to the growing force of Lakas-CMD. In line with our commitment to serve the people, we continue to open our doors to leaders inside and out the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said.

Another prominent personality who opted to join Lakas is businesswoman Katrina Gloria Ponce Enrile, daughter of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. She will vie for a Congressional seat as Representative of the 1st District of Cagayan.

Meanwhile, these people are running for different position under Lakas-CMD: Quezon City 1st District Councilor Nikki Crisologo, Quezon City 3rd District Councilor John Defensor; Christian Ryan Bustamante (as Mayor of Oas, Albay) and Franz William Ernest Belgica (as city councilor in San Juan City).

“Our new members including Representatives Eriguel and Cuaresma have come from diverse backgrounds and locations but we all unite to fulfill one goal: to lead our nation efficiently and competently,”Romualdez added.

Eriguel, a medical doctor, took over the post of former Lakas-CMD Vice President for Health Services Dr. Willie Ong, while Cuaresma, a veteran politician and former Nueva Vizcaya governor, was named Vice President for Local Government Concerns.

Eriguel was a former member of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan while Cuaresma came from National Unity Party (NUP).

Romualdez also said that leaders from Ilocos Norte, Bicol Region, and Mindanao took their oath as Lakas-CMD members on Saturday to run for various local positions in the 2022 elections.

From the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, they were Rafael Ralph Benemerito II (incumbent mayor), Melvyn Calvan II, Nestor Asuncion, Rex Constantine Benemerito Jr, Mercedes Carizal, Efren Cimatu Jr, Nathaniel Edu, Imelda Llanes (Former Mayor), Reyland Tabios, and Melvin Viernes.

From the municipality of Bulan, Sorsogon, Josias Geraldino (Mayor) joined Lakas together with councilors Olaf Gotladera, Nieva Grafil, Edgar Egay Calupit, and Neil Monforte.

Gil Melitante, and Ringo Gruta from Juban, Sorsogon also forged alliance with Lakas. The new members of Lakas from Gubat are: Sharon Rose Glipo Escoto, Sixto Funelas Estareja, Ana Embile Encinares, Renato Espadilla Escandor, Leo Pura Escaros, Ramilo Sarmiento Fajardo, Romeo Escarcha Forcadilla, Danilo Jao Pura, Reymundo Quiñones, Alvin Espadilla Rosales, and Aiza Embile Encinares.

From the municipality of Barcelona, Carlito Fortuno, Rico Entac, Lito Diaz, Rey Mendoza also took their oath.

Meanwhile, eight politicians joined Lakas from the municipality of Bulusan, Sorsogon. They were Reuel Fortades, Billy Guevarra Fortes, Bernardo Freo, Vicente Yap, Grace Halum, Celestino Frades, Dr. Lorenzo De Castro, and Reynaldo Fulleros.

Brette Bautista of Malita, Davao Occidental, Adelan de Arce of Sarangani, Valenzuela City Councilor Ricardo Ricarr Enriquez, Ma. Antonietta G. Villaroza and Jover Tria Viray of Occidental Mindoro, Emilito Salinas Lontoc of Noveleta in Cavite, and Perla C. Tumaliuan of Cagayan are also new members of Lakas-CMD.

Jolo Romualdez of Opol, Misamis Oriental and his team also took their oath as Lakas-CMD members.

On top of the 53 local officials, retired-Gen. Lope C. Dagoy was personally sworn into the Lakas-CMD party by Romualdez at his Batasan Pambansa Complex office in Quezon City last Monday night.

Last Tuesday, Cavite Vice Governor Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III, actor Nash Aguas, Cavite City Vice Mayor Denver Christopher Chua who will run for mayor, re-electionist Noveleta Mayor Dino Carlo Reyes Chua, Board Member Christian Davey Chua, and the respective members of their teams joined the party.