Lakas-CMD strength in House now 100 as three solons join

Speaker Martin Romualdez administers the oath to new Lakas-CMD member in the House, Bohol 3rd District Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor, during rites held on Tuesday at the Speaker’s office. The oath-taking was witnessed by House lawmakers who are also Lakas-CMD officials including Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose Aquino II, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Deputy Speaker Antonio Albano, and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Jr. | PHOTO: Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — Political party Lakas-CMD’s membership in the House of Representatives has swelled to 100 after three lady legislators joined, information from Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’ office showed.

In a statement on Tuesday, Romualdez’s office said the three following lawmakers took their oath of office as Lakas-CMD members:

• Abra Rep. Ching Bernos
• Bohol 3rd District Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor
• Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda

Romualdez in his statement at the oath-taking ceremony welcomed the new party members, saying that he is confident that the lawmakers can “provide meaningful contributions to advance the ideals of Lakas-CMD”.

READ: Marcos eyes alliances ahead of 2025 elections 

“Together we can leverage Lakas-CMD’s significant representation in the House of Representatives and extensive membership nationwide to address the pressing issues facing our nation and advance policies that promote inclusive growth and prosperity for all,” Romualdez said.

The oath taking of the three lawmakers happened a day before Lakas-CMD, which is headed by Romualdez, would formalize an alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

“In partnership with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we will work tirelessly to fulfill our shared goals of nation-building and progress,” Romualdez said.

Last May 1, Marcos said that PFP is eyeing political alliances with different political parties for the 2025 elections, like Lakas, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and the National Unity Party (NUP).

Just this March 18, three lawmakers from Visayas also decided to join Lakas-CMD — Leyte 5th District Rep. Carl Nicolas Cari, Samar 2nd District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, and Cebu 1st District Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas.

Then last January 30, La Union 2nd District Rep. Dante Garcia and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janet Garin also moved to the ruling party in the House.