House strength bolstered to 106

IN two days the dominant political party in the country, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) saw its ranks swell further with the entry of 97 new members, including one lawmaker and a provincial governor.

Southern Leyte 1st District Rep. Luz Mercado and Governor Damian G. Mercado were among the 49 newest members of Lakas-CMD who took their oath of membership before Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez Monday night. Rep. Mercado’s entry to Lakas-CMD bolstered the party’s strength in the House of Representatives to 106.

On Tuesday afternoon, Speaker Romualdez also swore in 48 other individuals as new members of the party from the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Pampanga, and Iloilo during simple rites held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office in the House of Representatives.

“Your decision to join us strengthens our commitment to promoting unity, progress, and service to the Filipino people, in line with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’,” said Speaker Romualdez in his message welcoming the new party members.

“Together, we will continue to champion good governance, inclusivity, and the welfare of our nation,” he added.

The latest members of the party from Misamis Oriental include Vice Gov. Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez, and Board Members Robert De Lara, Marlon Kho, Jabi Bernaldez, and Rey Buhisan.

Mayors Dann Isaiah Lusterio (Binuangan) and Eric Canosa (Gingoog City) headlined the nine new entrants to Lakas-CMD from District 1 of the province.

Seven local chief executives, namely Mayors Wellie G. Lim (Lugait), Stephen Tan (Manticao), Dennis Roa (Naawan), Emmanuel Jamis (Alubijid), Mercy Grace Acain (Initao), Redentor DLS Jardin (Jasaan), Edgar Lignes (El Salvador) and Jay Francis Bago (Opol), led the roster of 13 new party members from District 2 of Misamis Oriental.

Lakas-CMD likewise accepted eight new members from Mexico, Pampanga, namely: Ma. Angela Pangan, Allan Onofre, Givanni Bautista, Monico Cau, Allain Ramos, Ernest Christian Puzalan, Vince Marlon Balajadia, and Tristar Sotto.

On the other hand, Councilors Crisanto Guinto Cortez, Raco Paulo Sundiam Del Rosario , Alexander Pangan Indiongco, Edgardo De Guzman Pamintuan, Jr., and Marvin Maglalang Suller were among the 11 new Lakas members from Angeles City. They were also joined by Raymond Allan Pingul Ronquillo from the municipality of Sto. Tomas.

Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta from the 2nd District of Iloilo also took her oath of membership to Lakas-CMD Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, 16 mayors of Southern Leyte were also sworn in Monday night as new Lakas members, namely: Alan Jose Aroy (Macrohon), Roy Y. Salinas (San Ricardo), Sabina B. Ranque (Libagon), Lemuel P. Honor (Silago), Edito Mulig (St. Bernard), Evelyn T. Lee (Hinundayan), Reynaldo D. Saludo (San Juan), Antonio Lura, Sr. (Malitbog), Hermenegildo Culpa (Padre Burgos), Jessica Marie Escano-Pano (Tomas Oppus), Noel E. Alinsub (Bontoc), Sheffered Lino S. Tan (Sogod), Alfredo N. Luna, Jr. (Anahawan), Reynaldo C. Fernandez (Hinunangan), Ricarte A. Estrella (Pintuyan) and Benedicta D. Tiaozon (San Francisco).

They were joined by Vice Mayors Shirlita Y. Chong (Liloan) and Marian D. Pelin (Hinunangan), along with Board Member Ina Marie K. Loy (Macrohon), and San Francisco mayoralty candidate Jason Orfizo.

There were also new party members from the municipality of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro led by Mayor Michael Orayani, including Councilors Charles Z. Villas, Imee Elaine. G. Abeleda, and Jowelito D. Tejoso, along with Ferdinand T. Tangi, Tomasito T. Puli, Gladys S. Tarriela, Marito D. Tabor, Cesar T. Morales, and John Alfred T. Bayanay.

Oriental Mindoro vice gubernatorial aspirant Joana Valencia and Anthony Yap, who is eyeing a seat on the provincial board, led the 17 others from the province in taking the oath to formally join Lakas-CMD.

From the municipality of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, the new party members include Maria Fatima G. Liwanag, Bernardo D. Gabayno , Arnoldo M. Madrid, Councilor Angelo Marlo D. Madrid, Salvador Llave Morente and Ma. Theresa Hernandez Tesnado.

The new entrants to the party’s ranks from Gloria, Oriental Mindoro were: Teresita M. Ong, Wilfredo Condesa, Teotimo Pamfulme, Nelcy Ong, Ramon Jojo Jarabe III, Nick Orland Jamilla, Owel Janda, Rogen Sadiwa and Richard Labay.

BGen. George L. Banzon (ret.), from Mainit, Surigao del Norte, also took his oath before Speaker Romualdez to join the roster of Lakas-CMD.