Revillas, Remullas to forge alliance

Cavite members of the pro-administration Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) and the local Magdalo party of former governor Johnny Remulla are forging an alliance in preparation for the May elections, Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. announced yesterday.

Revilla’s wife, actress Lani Mercado, will forge the alliance today with 12 Cavite mayors under the Kampi ticket "in a bid to unite and cooperate in spreading the fruits of political accord among key leaders in the province," Revilla said in a statement.

He said Mercado will be sworn in as Kampi provincial chairman. She will be joined by local leaders belonging to both Lakas-CMD, of which Revilla is a member, and the Magdalo party.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, a Kampi stalwart, together with Rep. Luis Villafuerte, Kampi national president, will lead the oathtaking in Bacoor, Cavite.

Taking their oaths are Mayors Fernando Maligaya (Magallanes), Manuel Romera (Mendez), Lope Tepora (Indang), Efren Nazareno (Naic), and Conrado Lindo (Ternate), all formerly aligned with Magdalo, as well as Mayors Dahlia Loyola (Carmona), Walter Echevarria (GMA), Clarito Poblete (Silang), Melencio de Sagun (Trece Martires City), Abraham Tolentino (Tagaytay City), Jose Peñano (Alfonso), and Monte Andaman (Maragondon), who are former Lakas members.

The senator’s brother, Strike Revilla, who is running for mayor of Bacoor town, is also joining Kampi.

Revilla, however, said that his wife’s joining Kampi and her being its provincial chairman do not mean that she is running for any post.

Revilla said they have declared with finality that his wife is not running for any elective position.

Rep. Boying Remulla will represent the Remullas in today’s event.