Two lawmakers join LAKAS-CMD, boosting party numbers in House to 57

Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas and Hugpong ng Pagbabago president and Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista took their oath as new members of Lakas-CMD before party president and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, while Vice President Sara Duterte witnessed the ceremony. (Photo from the Office of Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez)

MANILA, Philippines — Two lawmakers have officially joined the political party Lakas-CMD, increasing the party’s membership in the House of Representatives to 57.

Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) president and Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista, along with Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, took their oaths as party members, information released from the office of Lakas-CMD party president and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez said the entry of two more members for Lakas-CMD — which Vice President Sara Duterte chairs — will strengthen support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ legislative agenda as the party backs the administration.

“It is indeed a great honor and pleasure to welcome Congressman Claude and Congresswoman Arenas. Thank you for joining Lakas-CMD,” Romualdez said during the ceremony witnessed by Duterte.

“Lakas-CMD is a solid ally of President Bongbong Marcos, who received an unprecedented mandate, trust, and confidence from the people,” he added.

Bautista, like Romualdez, was the campaign manager for Duterte during the 2022 vice-presidential elections, where the candidate won by a landslide.

Like Duterte, Bautista will remain part of Hugpong and will be its president as the said party is a regional one.

READ: Sara Duterte’s political party starts nationwide recruitment

On the other hand, Arenas was previously a representative of Pangasinan before she took on the chairperson job at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

JMS/abc