10 mayors in Albay join VP Sara's Lakas-CMD

Ten mayors in Albay province have joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party of Vice President Sara Duterte.
 
A statement released by House appropriations panel chair Elizaldy Co of the Ako-Bicol party-list said that 10 of Albay’s 15 municipal mayors took their oath as new Lakas-CMD members before party president and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday, November 9.
 
The mayors who took their oath as Lakas-CMD members are Adrian Salceda (Polangui); Paul Garcia (Guinobatan); Wilfredo Maronilla (Libon); Sharon Escoto (Oas); Alan Arandia (Pio Duran); Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. (Camalig); Carlwyn Baldo (Daraga); Dick Galicia (Rapu Rapu); and Joseling Aguas (Sto. Domingo).
 
“The mayors, representing 10 of Albay’s 15 municipalities, swore allegiance to the ruling party and pledged to support its plans and programs,” the statement said.

New party members also include several city and municipal councilors, namely, Roberto Lucila (Legazpi City); Luis Gutierrez (Legazpi City); Sunshine Imperial (Legazpi City); and Caroline Ziga-So (Tabaco City), as well as Albay provincial board members Jesus Salceda Jr., Juan Miguel Salceda, Dante Arandia, Victor Ziga Jr., Melissa Abadeza, Eva Lopez Ribaya, Reynaldo Bragais, and Glenda Ong Bongao. 
 
Romualdez told the new party members that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his cousin, was happy that the mayors joined Lakas-CMD.

Only Duterte holds a national position among party members, while 60 members occupy seats in the House of Representatives.
 
Duterte, the Lakas-CMD chairperson, ranked second in the vice presidential race in Albay last May, garnering more than 144,000 votes. Former Senator Francis Pangilinan received at least 444,000 votes to take first place. —VBL, GMA Integrated News