BACOLOD CITY – Twelve local chief executives, including the wife of slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, have formally joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).
PAMPLONA, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo was among the new Lakas-CMD members sworn in by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo and 23 other new Lakas-CMD members, including 12 other local officials and aspirants, took their oath before House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez at the Social Hall of the Office of the Speaker in the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Wednesday, August 28.
Romualdez welcomed new party members and thanked them for their decision to join the biggest political party in the House and the country.
“Working together, we shall present a potent force in support of the Agenda for Prosperity of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the realization of his vision for inclusive growth under a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ (New Philippines),” said Romualdez in his brief message during the event.
The other mayors who joined the political party were Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy Amante, Santiago Mayor Zenaida Lim, Jabonga Mayor Napoleon Montante, Kitcharao Mayor Jenry Montante, Tubay Mayor Kimmy Beray, R.T. Romualdez Mayor Richard Daquipil, Magallanes Mayor Cesar Cumba Jr., Las Nieves Mayor Karen Rosales, Nasipit Mayor Roscoe Democrito Plaza, Buenavista Mayor Joselito Roble, and Carmen Mayor Ramon Calo, all from the province of Agusan Del Norte.
Vice Mayors Maria Isabel Sagarbarria of Dumaguete City and Fernando Dolar and Jeasa Gonzales of Santa Monica and Pilar, Surigao del Norte, respectively, along with Councilor Jerry Madera of Mainit, Surigao del Norte, also took their oath as new Lakas-CMD members.
Romualdez also swore in as new members eight aspirants for local posts in various municipalities of the province of Surigao del Norte – Zita Biong (Tubod), Alvin Egay (Gigaquit), James Masuhay (Sison), Tessie Jean Nakao (Bacuag), Armen Catulay (Taganaan), Emmanuel Menil (San Benito), Emmanuel Arcena (Burgos), and Airmen Domiño (San Isidro).
He also inducted 24 new party members on Tuesday, August 27, among them two lawmakers – Reps. Ramon Nolasco Jr. of the first district of Cagayan and Maria Ysabel Zamora of San Juan City – and 32 incumbent and former officials and other politicians eyeing local posts in the May 2025 elections.
Lakas-CMD now has 105 members in the House, more than one-third of the total number of congressmen.