Miro Quimbo, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna join Lakas-CMD

MANILA, Philippines — Former Marikina lawmaker Miro Quimbo and incumbent Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna have joined political party Lakas-CMD — a move that could shape alliances and set the tone for the 2025 local elections.

During a program at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Tuesday, Quimbo and Lacuna took their oath before Lakas-CMD president and House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

According to Romualdez, they are honored to have Quimbo and Lacuna in Lakas-CMD, noting that both officials’ experience can contribute to the administration’s “Agenda for Prosperity.”

“We are honored to welcome Mayor Honey Lacuna and former Marikina Congressman Miro Quimbo into the Lakas-CMD family,” Romualdez said.

“Their leadership, experience, and commitment to serve our people greatly enhance our collective efforts to support the Agenda for Prosperity of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and his vision for ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’” he added.

Quimbo, a former deputy speaker, used to represent the second district of Marikina — a seat now occupied by his wife, economics professor and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo.

The Quimbos are rumored to be headed towards a face-off in Marikina against the Teodoros. Incumbent Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro is in his last term, while his wife, Marikina 1st District Rep. Marjorie Ann Teodoro, is in the middle of her first term as a lawmaker.

Previously, Rep. Quimbo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that she would run for Marikina’s mayoral post, despite being rumored to be a choice for the Department of Trade and Industry and National Economic and Development Authority’s top post.

READ: BIZ BUZZ: The hunt for new trade czar

In Manila, it is also unclear who Lacuna’s opponent would be.  Lacuna is believed to be seeking reelection in 2025, saying last July 17 that she is giving her friend, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, time to reconsider a possible mayoral bid.

Moreno was elected as Manila mayor in 2019, with Lacuna — his running mate — also winning the vice mayoral race.  When Moreno ran for president in 2022, Lacuna took over and made a successful bid as Manila’s first woman mayor.

However, Moreno recently gave indications that he will seek Manila’s top post in 2025.  In his Facebook account, Moreno posted a video where people were asking him to return — which he captioned by saying “Laging may awa ang Diyos (God is always merciful) #TimeWillTell.”

READ: Manila’s Lacuna: I’m giving Isko Moreno time to reconsider mayoral bid

This prompted Lacuna to issue a statement saying that she is giving her “brother” Moreno time to reconsider his plans.