POLITICAL leaders of Basilan have joined the Lakas-Kampi-CMD in a move widely perceived to have solidified the ruling coalition's political dominance in the southern Philippines.

Basilan Governor Jum Akbar and Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahul were sworn in by National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, the ruling party's standard bearer, in a ceremony held Thursday night at the Alavar's Seafood House in Zamboanga City.

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They were joined by all of the Basilan provincial board members, 10 town mayors, two vice mayors and prospective candidates in next year's elections.

Akbar and majority of Basilan elected officials ran and won in the previous elections under the banner of the Liberal Party (LP).

Akbar acknowledged the administration's programs, which she said have brought progress and significant gains in the region, the reason they joined the ruling party.

The lady governor also cited the successful peace and order campaign of the National Government in Mindanao, which she said was a product of Teodoro's decisiveness as the country's defense chief.

"We believed that Secretary Teodoro has what it takes to be the next leader of the Republic. The people of Basilan and the entire Mindanao region will rally behind his quest to win the presidency in 2010," Akbar said.

Teodoro said the decision of Akbar and the key leaders of Basilan to join the ruling party was a very positive political development for the administration.

He said the party expects more leaders in the key areas of the country to join Lakas-Kampi-CMD in the coming days.

"This is a concrete proof to our assertion that Lakas-Kampi-CMD is the most dominant political party in the country today," Teodoro said, as he vowed to work hard to lead the party into victory come next year's elections.

Teodoro visited Thursday Basilan and Jolo where he was briefed by top military officials in Western Mindanao on the Armed Forces of the Philippines' renewed anti-terror campaign. (Bong Garcia)