6 Bicol governors join Lakas-CMD

LEGAZPI CITY — President Arroyo invaded the heartland of Bicol yesterday and went home a winner with all six governors of the region being sworn into the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party.

Bicol is touted to be a bailiwick of former senator and education secretary Raul Roco, a Bicolano, who has declared his intention to run in the May 2004 presidential elections.

Mrs. Arroyo, national chairman of Lakas-CMD, administered the oaths of membership of Governors Luis Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), who used to be with the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino; Francis Bichara (Albay), Leandro Verceles Jr. (Catanduanes), Jesus Typoco (Camarines Norte), Raul Lee (Sorsogon) and Antonio Kho (Masbate), during a program in Polangui town.

The six governors accompanied Mrs. Arroyo in her visit to Iriga City and nearby towns. — Cet Dematera, Marichu Villanueva