3 Visayan solons join Lakas-CMD; membership at House stands at 97

Logo of Lakas-CMD political party (File photo)

MANILA, Philippines—Political party Lakas-CMD now has 97 members in the House of Representatives after three more lawmakers from Visayas joined, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Monday.

According to Romualdez’ office, the three new members are:

Leyte 5th District Rep. Carl Nicolas Cari
Samar 2nd District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan
Cebu 1st District Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas

The lawmakers took their oath before Romualdez at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office inside the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon city.

“With your wealth of experience, dedication to public service, and unwavering principles, I am confident that your presence will further strengthen our ranks and contribute significantly to our shared vision of progress and unity,” Romualdez told the new members.

“Your decision to align with Lakas-CMD underscores the party’s steadfast commitment to championing the interests and aspirations of the Filipino people,” he added.

Cari was a former member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), while Tan and Gullas were both from the Nacionalista Party.

In addition to Romualdez, Lakas-CMD officials like Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were present to witness the oath-taking.

READ: 16 politicians from Pangasinan’s 4th District join Lakas-CMD — Speaker