A CONGRESSMAN, provincial governor, his former governor-father and a provincial board member on Monday became the newest members of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), which has grown into the largest political party in the country.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, administered the oath to Iligan City Lone District Rep. Celso G. Regencia, Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores (left), his father former Gov. Florencio “Joeben” M. Miraflores, and Pampanga board member Alyssa Michaela “Mica” Mercado Gonzales as new Lakas-CMD members at the House of Representatives Monday afternoon.

Former President-turned Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lakas-CMD President Emeritus, witnessed the event.

Romualdez said he is happy that the four local officials decided to join the party which he heads.

“We are looking forward to an enjoyable and productive interaction, engagement and camaraderie with them,” Romualdez said.

Regencia is the 67th Lakas-CMD member in the House of Representatives.

Before joining Lakas-CMD, Regencia, Gov. Miraflores and his father were members of PDP-Laban, while Gonzales was affiliated with the local political group Kambilan.

Gonzales topped last year’s election for Sangguniang Panglalawigan members in the province’s third district, which his father, Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., represents in Congress.

The four are the latest batch of local officials to join Lakas-CMD.

Last month, local officials from Albay took their oath before Romualdez as party members.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco