Lakas-CMD reaffirms support for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s speakership bid

House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines – The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party on Friday reiterated its support for its president, House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, to be elected Speaker in the next Congress.

This after several newly elected House members have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD.

Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter “Sharky” Palma II, the party’s deputy secretary general, said the Lakas-CMD leadership is considering welcoming the interested lawmakers into its fold.

“Some of our colleagues have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD. We are very proud and happy to support our president to become our Speaker in the next Congress,” Palma said.

Lakas-CMD earlier formally endorsed Romualdez for the top position in the House.

The endorsement was contained in Resolution No. 05, Series of 2022, which the party’s executive committee has approved.

The resolution was signed by committee members led by Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., who co-chairs the party.

The approval of the resolution followed a previous appeal on May 14 from former president and returning Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is Lakas-CMD president emeritus, for party members to back Romualdez..

Other parties that have declared their support for the incumbent majority leader include PDP-Laban, National Unity Party, Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc., Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nationalist People’s Coalition, independents, and the group of neophytes.

Romualdez’s endorsers now comprise majority of the members of the incoming House.

His supporters said he would be an asset to the administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. because of his “legislative prowess” in shepherding the approval of important measures.

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