Lolypop named Lakas reg’l head

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon is now the regional chairperson of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

With her new designation, Ouano-Dizon will be on top of the Lakas-CMD party’s activities and undertakings in Cebu province.

In line with her new designation, she will also have the authority to sign the Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of all those who will be running under the Lakas-CMD banner in Cebu province for the filing of certificates of candidacy on October 1 to 8.

“I humbly accept this designation as Regional Chairman of Region 7 LAKAS-CMD. This representation will work diligently to bring my best to the table and ensure that expectations are not only met but exceeded,” said Ouano-Dizon in her Facebook post.

“Keeping in mind that our mission goes beyond winning seats but to uplift every Filipino's life, give voice to their concerns, and shape policies that will bring about lasting change,” she added.

Ouano-Dizon further said that she is honored and grateful for the trust and confidence given to her by Lakas-CMD.

 “This is huge honor for me and for the people of Mandaue City. Like in any and all of my tasks, I will give my heart to this responsibility given to me,” said Ouano-Dizon.

Lakas-CMD, with more than 100 members in the House of Representatives, is the country’s most dominant political party, replacing Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), which is currently headed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Ouano-Dizon thanked the Lakas-CMD leadership for the trust, in giving her such huge role and responsibility for the party.

Ouano-Dizon took her oath on Wednesday, September 25, before House Speaker Martin Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD, the dominant party under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas is an alliance of five political parties comprising Lakas-CMD, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition and National Unity Party.

On the same day, President Marcos Jr. presented alliance’s senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections, just less than a week from the start of the filing of the COC.

The 12 senatorial bets include his sister, re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos and fellow incumbent senators Pia Cayetano; Francis Tolentino; Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.; and Manuel “Lito” Lapid.

Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay were also presented, as well as Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., who is the only current cabinet member included in PBBM’s lineup.

Former senators Manny Pacquiao, Vicente Sotto III, and Panfilo Lacson completed the senatorial slate.

 Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano, Ouano-Dizon’s younger brother, likewise took his oath as a new member of Lakas-CMD on the other day.

The oathtaking of Jonkie, who is now on his last term as Cebu Provincial Board Member, is fueling speculations that he is running against suspended Mayor Jonas Cortes for Mandaue City’s mayoralty seat in the 2025 local and national elections.

There are, however, speculations that it would likely be Ouano-Dizon, not Jonkie, who would vie with Cortes in the political race for mayor.

The Ouano camp, however, maintained that Ouano-Dizon will be seeking reelection as she has one more term as a congresswoman.

 Ouano-Dizon was a former number one city councilor of Mandaue City. She ran for mayor in Mandaue City in 2016 but lost to Luigi Quisumbing.

Jonkie, on the other hand, ran for Mandaue City Mayor in 2007 but lost to Cortes. (CEBU NEWS)