House of Representatives’ Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Wednesday afternoon administered the oath of another lawmaker as new member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina Jr. was sworn in as new party member, increasing its strength to 30 with 15 congressional districts and 15 party-list lawmakers as Lakas-CMD allies.
“We will continue to solidify and strengthen our political influence nationwide,” said Romualdez, president of the Lakas-CMD and chairman of the House Committee on Rules, during the ceremony held at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City Wednesday afternoon.
Espina, vice chairman of the House Committees on Health and on Agrarian Reform, was a former member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Romualdez, representative of Leyte’s First District, reiterated the strong commitment of Lakas-CMD to support the passage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda.
“Lakas-CMD remains and will always be a partner of the administration in ensuring the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda needed to make the life of Filipino people more comfortable,” said Romualdez.
Last December, Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado took his oath as Lakas-CMD member.
The other officials and members of the Lakas-CMD in the House of Representatives are Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga Rep. Juan
Miguel Arroyo, Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr., Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Balindong, Deputy Majority Leader and Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, Quezon Rep. Aleta Suarez, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza, Negros Occidental Rep. Marilou Arroyo, Misamis Oriental Rep. Christian Unabia, former House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles, Deputy Majority Leader and Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter Wee Palma II, and Catanduanes Rep. Hector Sanchez.
The 15 party-list lawmakers who are allied with Lakas-CMD include Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez, Anakalusugan Rep. Mike
Defensor, Ako Bisaya Rep. Sonny “SL” Lagon, Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin, Alona Rep. Ana Marie Villaraza-Suarez, Ako Bicol Rep. Elizalde Co, Ako Padayon Pilipino Rep. Adriano Ebcas, CWS Rep. Romeo Momo, Sr., GP Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos, Philreca Rep. Presyley de Jesus, Recoboda Rep. Godofredo Guya, TGP Rep. Jose Teves, TUCP Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, Magsasaka Rep. Argel Cabatbat, and Deputy Speaker and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.
The party-list lawmakers signed the “Declaration of Alliance for Unity and Progress” with the party to further solidify their support to the.legislative agenda of President Duterte and Speaker Alan Peter.Cayetano.