Duterte administration ally Lakas-CMD quickly filled up the post vacated by Aksyon Demokratiko vice presidential nominee Dr. Willie Ong by appointing La Union 2nd District Rep. Sandra Eriquel as party vice president for heath services.
Eriguel recently resigned from PDP-Laban and was sworn in by Majority Leader and party president Martin G. Romualdez as Lakas-CMD member. Also sworn in as new member was Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma who gave up membership to the National Unity Party in order to join Lakas-CMD, a political party founded by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
The addition of the two new members brought to 28 the total number of Lakas-CMD members in the House of Representatives.
Romualdez disclosed that the party has also accepted the membership of Quezon City First District Councilor Nikki Crisologo and 3rd District Councilor John Defensor, brother of Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Michael Defensor.
Rep. Defensor is expected to challenge incumbent QC Mayor Joy Belmonte in the 2022 local elections. Political leaders in the city noted that Defensor has been seen in political caucuses with former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., recently endorsed by the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan as its presidential candidate next year. Marcos, a member of Nacionalista Party, and Romualdez are cousins.
Eriguel and Cuaresma belong to the Solid North Alliance in the Lower House.
“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 swearing in new party members on Saturday, Sept. 25.
“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,” he said.