2 PDP-Laban allies in House jump over to Lakas-CMD

Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo takes his oath before House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, in the presence of Deputy Majority Leader Juan Miguel Arroyo, party vice president for Luzon. (Photo from the Office of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez)

MANILA, Philippines — Two members of the ruling party PDP-Laban in the House of Representatives has jumped over to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party.

Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo and Dinagat Islands Rep. Alan Ecleo took their oath as new members of the Lakas-CMD on Tuesday.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, and Deputy Majority Leader Juan Miguel Arroyo, party vice president for Luzon, led the oath-taking ceremony.

This brings the number of Lakas-CMD members in the House to 36 with 19 district and 17 party-list representatives.

“Lakas-CMD is gaining momentum in its goal to strengthen its ranks in the House of Representatives. We will continue this feat in the coming months by strengthening our support for our 19 regular members and 17 party-list allies,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“The party will remain a staunch ally of the government and will continue to support the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda,” he added.

Dinagat Islands Rep. Alan Ecleo took his oath via videoconferencing. (Photo from the Office of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez)

Lakas-CMD has produced two presidents — Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who also served as House speaker.

The party is chaired by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

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