Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez

The House Speaker Martin Romualdez-led Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) continues to gain strength ahead of the May 2025 mid-term elections. 

This, after 45 local officials joined the ranks of the pro-administration party within a couple of days. 

Headlining the list of new Lakas-CMD stalwarts Tuesday, May 14 was Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez. Laguna has an estimated voting population of over two million, which lands it in the top five in the entire country. 

Joining Hernandez as new party members were Board Member Magtanggol Jose Carait III, Mayor Dwight Kampitan, Vice Mayor RJ Kampitan, and Councilors Florencio Laraño, Homer Herradura, Analyn Nava, and John Paul Pahutan, all of Victoria town. 

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, expressed happiness that the governor and his officials “chose to align themselves with Lakas-CMD and the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in support of President Marcos and his administration". 

“Together, we can fulfill our dream of a Bagong Pilipinas for our people,” he said. Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas refers to the newly-formed partnership between Lakas-CMD and President Marcos' Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). 

A day earlier, Romualdez welcomed to Lakas-CMD's fold two town mayors, three city and municipal vice mayors and 32 other local officials 

These new members were Mayors Reynante Bautista of Angat and Bartolome Ramos of Sta Maria in Bulacan, Vice Mayors Pablo Juan also of Sta. Maria and Arvin Agustin of Angat, and Estelito Marabe of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. 

Also joining Lakas-CMD were Bukidnon Councilors Niko Aldeguer, Brian Flores, Zoltan Dinlayan, Kathleen Pagaling, Royland Orquia, Erwin Damasco, and Alan Legaspi, all of Malaybalay City; Reynard Encarguez, Jeorge Ostan, and Vemencita Ocier of Cabanglasan town; Jetaime Gumban, Jonathan Olana, and Xenia Echeminado of Impasugong town; Neil Luardo, Aurora Rubio, and Rogelio Saway of Lantapan town; and Fernando Grafil, Richie Rabago, Benjie Gonzaga, and Dante Dy of the municipality of San Fernando. 
 

The oath-taking ceremonies of the new Lakas-CMD members took place at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City. 

Romualdez says he hopes the new Lakas-CMD members would have a fruitful and enjoyable engagement with the party. 

“With unity of purpose, we, together, can fulfill our dream of a better life for our constituents and our people in general,” said the party president.