Lakas-CMD names Revilla as Senate bet, appoints regional chairmen

The Philippine Star

September 22, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The dominant administration party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) named Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. as its official senatorial candidate in the May 2025 midterm polls.

The nomination of Revilla, the party chairman, is contained in Resolution 3 adopted during the party’s national convention presided over by Speaker Martin Romualdez, the party president, at Aguado in Malacañang.

The convention also adopted Resolutions 1 and 2 – one designating its regional chairmen and another authorizing its secretary general Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino ll to submit to the Commission on Elections its authorized signatories and their specimen signatures for nominating candidates in next year’s polls, respectively.

Addressing his party mates, the Speaker said Lakas-CMD will join a formidable administration alliance that would support candidates in the May elections.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives also said Lakas-CMD would remain President Marcos’ reliable partner in pushing for policies and reforms that would benefit every Filipino.

“In 2025, we are not just fielding candidates, we are shaping the future. Lakas-CMD is proud to join the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. This multiparty administration alliance will bring forth a formidable 12-man senatorial slate, as well as candidates for provincial, congressional and city and municipal positions,” he said.

“Together, we will represent a broad and inclusive movement that reflects the aspirations of every Filipino across our archipelago.”

Revilla thanked Lakas-CMD for fielding him as the party’s senatorial candidate.

“With beaming pride and gratitude, I humbly accept this nomination to be its candidate for senator in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections,” Revilla said in his speech. “Through Speaker Martin, we have achieved a level of solidarity that our party has never reached before,” he added.

The appointed regional chairmen were Reps. Ramon Guico Jr. for Region I (Ilocos provinces), Antonio Albano for Region II (Cagayan Valley), Geraldine Roman for Region III (Central Luzon), Lani Mercado-Revilla for Region IV-A (Calabarzon), Arnan Panaligan for Region IV-B (Mimaropa), Joey Sarte Salceda for Region V (Bicol), Emarie Ouano-Dizon for Region VII (Central Visayas); Gerryboy Espina for Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Jurdin Jesus Romualdo for Region X (Northern Mindanao), Maricar Zamora for Region XI (Davao provinces), Ma. Alana Samantha Santos for Region XII (Socsargen), Secretary General Aquino for Region XIII (Caraga), Yasser Alonto Balindong for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Marvin Rillo for Metro Manila (National Capital Region).

Also named regional chairmen were Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe for Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jersy Palmares for Region VI (Western Visayas) and Kalinga Gov. James Edubba for the Cordilleras.