Lakas-CMD strength in House grows

THE strength of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) in the House of Representatives has grown to 50, of which 28 are district representatives and 22 are party-list allies, House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez announced on Sunday.

La Union 2nd District Rep. Sandra Eriguel, Chairperson of the House Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, and Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma have jumped ship to the Lakas-CMD, making them the 27th and 28th members from various congressional districts nationwide of the political party in the House of Representatives.

Businesswoman Katrina Gloria Ponce Enrile, daughter of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, will run for Congress in the 1st District of Cagayan under Lakas-CMD.

Quezon City 1st District Councilor Nikki Crisologo, Quezon City 3rd District Councilor John Defensor, Christian Ryan Bustamante who will run for mayor in Oas, Albay and Franz William Ernest Belgica who will run for a city council seat in San Juan City also joined Lakas-CMD.

“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, Lakas-CMD president, said after leading the separate oath taking ceremonies for new party members, including the mass oath taking Saturday afternoon.

“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,” saidRomualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Phulconsa).

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, chairman of the House Committee on Rules, also said 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 coming 2022 elections.

From the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, are 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.

Josias Geraldino (Mayor) from the municipality of Bulan, Sorsogon, 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 Saranggani, 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.

The Lakas-CMD had produced two presidents, namely former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.