Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez raises the hand of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as they give the thumbs-up gesture during the 2024 Convention of Lakas-CMD at the Aguado Residence in San Miguel, Manila, Friday (Sept. 20, 2024). The party — largest and most dominant political party in the Philippines — adopted Resolution No. 3 nominating Revilla as its official senatorial candidate in the 2025 elections
THE dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party on Friday named Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., its chairman, as its official senatorial candidate in the May 2025 midterm polls.
Revilla’s nomination is contained in Resolution No. 3 adopted during the party’s national convention presided over by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the party’s president, at Aguado Residence in Malacañang.
The convention also adopted Resolution Nos. 1 and 2 — designating regional chairmen and another authorizing its secretary general, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II, to submit to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) its authorized signatories and their specimen signatures for nominating candidates in next year’s polls, respectively.
Addressing his party mates, Speaker Romualdez said Lakas-CMD, which he heads as president, 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 Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s 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 told his party members.
“Together, we will represent a broad and inclusive movement that reflects the aspirations of every Filipino across our archipelago,” he said.
In nominating Revilla, Lakas-CMD said it “understands the importance of the May 12, 2025 national and local elections as the next leaders must support the legislative agenda of the President to usher sustainable economic growth, good governance and the continuity of social, cultural and economic reform policy.”
It said as a national political party, it “pursues the ideals of a strong republic, principles of development and advancement of the political, economic and socio-political systems of the Philippine society.”
For his part, Revilla thanked the 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.
“To all of you, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you once again for this tremendous honor and the trust you have bestowed on me,” Revilla said.
Revilla also said, “Through Speaker Martin, we have achieved a level of solidarity that our party has never reached before. Sa pamamagitan niya, mas lalong nag-alab ang ating paniniwala sa layunin ng ating samahan.”
“We credit him for again making Lakas the ruling party. And because of this, it is with full confidence that I say to all of you – we are definitely in good hands. Maraming salamat, Speaker,” Revilla said.
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 Bansamoro 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.
The three resolutions were signed by party officials led by Sen. Revilla as chairman, and Speaker Romualdez as president.
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