Lakas-CMD gains more members as 3 lawmakers join

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez talks to the media members on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Photo from Lakas-CMD

MANILA, Philippines — Three more lawmakers in the House of Representatives joined the ruling Lakas-Christian Democrats (Lakas-CMD), increasing its numbers to 60 in the lower chamber.

These lawmakers are Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, Bohol 2nd District Rep. Maria Vanessa Aumentado, and Isabela 3rd District Rep. Ian Paul Dy.

According to the party, the new members took their oath on Thursday afternoon before Lakas-CMD president and presumptive Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“We welcome our new members. We are delighted by their decision to join us. We look forward to a productive engagement with them and the rest of our membership,” Romualdez said in a statement on Thursday.

“Lakas-CMD’s expansion will strengthen support in Congress for the legislative and unity agenda of President Bongbong Marcos,” Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, added.

Vice President Sara Duterte leads the Lakas-CMD, being its chairperson. Duterte is the running mate of Marcos during the 2022 elections.

Salceda, who supported the presidential bid of former vice president Leni Robredo, the chief rival of Marcos, said he is happy to return to his old party.

“I thank PDP Laban for the support in the past 6 years. I rejoined my party from 2001 to 2010 having been a presidential economic adviser and chief of staff of then PGMA (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), long time friend and adviser of VP Sara (Lakas chairman) and of course as chief campaigner the 2019 speakership bid of incoming Speaker Martin Romualdez who has recruited to play a key economic role in the House of Representatives,” he said in a separate statement.

While Salceda did not support Marcos during the presidential race, he campaigned heavily for his running mate, then Davao Mayor Sara Duterte.

At the same event, Romualdez also formally welcomed other party members by administering their oath.

These include Representatives Wilter Yap Palma (Zamboanga Sibugay), Ambrosio “Boy” Cruz Jr. (Bulacan), Joseph “Jojo” Lara (Cagayan), and Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II’s (Surigao del Norte).

Other public officials who took their oath as party members on Thursday are: Biliran board member Roselyn Espina-Paras and her son, Jose Antonio. Paras; and Mindanao leaders Atty. Al Hamid Diron, Atty. Melanie Mae Cabanlas, Maharani Abdullah- Pacasum, Hamza Dimaporo, Johanna  Diron-Dimaporo, Shaharaine Abdullah, Nabila Pangandaman, and Ahmad Amir. Balindong

Last Tuesday, regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago President and Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista and Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas took their oath as Lakas-CMD members.

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

JPV/abc