A mass defection of local officials to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) has shaken the political landscape in Bohol, with several mayors and mayoralty aspirants from the second and third districts joining the party.
Tagbilaran City Councilor Malvin "Atoy" Torralba led the group of new recruits, who took their oath of allegiance before Speaker Martin Romualdez in Metro Manila last week.
Among the incumbent mayors who switched to Lakas-CMD are Costan Reyes of Ubay, Janet Garcia of Talibon, Carrie Camacho of Getafe, Dave Duallo of Buenavista, Eugenio Ibarra of Clarin, Restituto Suarez III of Sagbayan, Diosdado Gementiza of San Isidro, and Jose Cepedoza of Danao, all from the second district.
A larger contingent of mayors from the third district also joined the party, including Hilario Ayuban of Loay, Randolph Ang of Dimiao, Dionisio Neil Balite of Valencia, Jess Baja of Dimiao, Al Taculad of Duero, Ben Balo of Guindulman, Angelina Simacio of Anda, Wilson Pajo of Pilar, Conchita de los Reyes of Carmen, Norman Palacio of Bilar, Raymond Jala of Loboc, and Ongie Bernales-Lim of Mabini.
Mayoralty aspirants Faustino Bulaga, Fernando Erio, Softonio Apat, John Felix Garcia, Dexter Ancla, Teofisto Pagar, Marciano Ayuban, Simplicio Maestrado, and Ceniza Bulalaque also joined the party.
The event was attended by second district Representative Maria Vanessa Aumentado and third district Representative Kristine Alexie Tutor, who recently switched to Lakas-CMD.
In a separate development, Tutor’s father, Nicanor Besas, joined the Nationalista Party on September 3 in Metro Manila.
Besas, the president of the Philippine Councilors League-Bohol chapter, has been chosen as a vice gubernatorial candidate of Abante Bohol.
