MANILA, Philippines — The number of lawmakers belonging to the Lakas-CMD party has increased to 73 after two new members joined, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Friday.
In a statement, Romualdez — who is president of the said party — said that Laguna 1st District Rep. Ma. Rene Ann Matibag and 3rd District Rep. Loreto Amante are the new members.
Both took their oaths before Romualdez last Wednesday.
Aside from Matibag and Amante, two new local members from Laguna also joined Lakas-CMD, namely Liliw Mayor Ildefonso Monleon and Calauan Mayor Roseller Caratihan.
“Our party is a coalition of dedicated public servants who share a common goal – to serve the Filipino people with integrity and dedication. With the addition of Representative Ma. Rene Ann Matibag and Loreto Amante, along with Mayors Ildefonso Monleon and Roseller Caratihan, we are not only growing in numbers but in strength and diversity,” Romualdez said.
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“Lakas-CMD remains steadfast in its dedication to nation-building and looks forward to the contributions of these new members in shaping the future of the Philippines. With unity, diversity, and shared values as its cornerstones, Lakas-CMD is poised to continue its legacy of service to the nation,” he added.
According to Romualdez, Matibay and Amante bring “extensive experience and dedication to the party, having served their respective districts with distinction.”
The four politicians’ inclusion in the party is expected to strengthen the party’s presence at the local government level.
Lakas-CMD is one of the largest political parties in the House as of now, along with the Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, the National Unity Party, and the PDP-Laban.
The last time that a lawmaker joined Lakas was in May when Speaker Romualdez welcomed and administered the oath to Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores.