FILE PHOTO: Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. during the March 15, 2023 plenary session. (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) “continues to be united and supportive” of the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and party president, Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez, a ranking party official said Friday.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., the co-chairman of the political party, gave the assurance in the aftermath of the former President and current Pampanga Representative, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s, unceremonious removal from her position as senior deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives.
READ: Sudden demotion: Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo loses ‘senior’ House rank
Arroyo, chair emeritus of Lakas-CMD, is now one of the eight deputy Speakers in the lower chamber.
“Our decades-long solidarity has witnessed and endured many trials, which only strengthened our bond that is founded on our shared passion to serve our nation. Through the darkest of storms and greatest of tribulations, we have proven time and again that our unity will never be torn down,” Revilla said in a statement Friday.
“Pinagtibay at pinagbigkis ang samahang ito ng pagsasama at pag-uunawaang hinubog at pinanday ng panahon. Sinubok pero hindi nawasak, bagkus ay palakas pa ng palakas,” he added.
(This party is strengthened and bound by companionship and understanding shaped and forged by time. Tested but not destroyed, but stronger and stronger.)
READ: Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo replaced as senior deputy speaker
Just hours after his statement was issued, Vice President Sara Duterte announced her resignation from Lakas-CMD. Duterte served as chairperson of the party.
READ: Sara Duterte resigns from Lakas-CMD
“I am grateful to all the party members for the support that also once demonstrated that unity is possible to advance our shared dreams for our fellow Filipinos and our beloved country,” Duterte said in a separate statement.
“I am here today because of the trust of the Filipino people in me to lead and serve them and the country, and this cannot be poisoned by political toxicity or undermined by execrable political powerplay,” she added.
Revilla has yet to issue a statement on this recent development.
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