Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — Seven political parties have formed an alliance with the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas – CMD) on Monday, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
This comes after Vice President Sara Duterte left the party. Prior to this, former president and incumbent Pampanga 2nd district representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was demoted to deputy speaker.
“Both parties agree to give their full and unqualified support to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 19th Congress, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez,” read the agreement released by Romualdez, who is also Lakas-CMD president.
The House speaker said that the agreement will last until the 19th Congress ends in 2025.
“It also emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among all political parties. This is a critical message at a time when the country is facing a number of challenges,” Romualdez said.
The parties that signed the agreement were Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), National Unity Party, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., Partido Navoteño, and Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines.
Following Macapagal-Arroyo’s claim that she was being linked to a plot to oust Romualdez, political parties rushed to show their support to Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Romualdez has previously reiterated that the House is in order.