Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday welcomed four lawmakers and a mayor to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), bringing the total party’s strength at the House of Representatives to 86.
“Our heartfelt welcome to our new members. We are delighted and excited to have you on board. With your exceptional skills, experience, and dedication, we look forward to the unique contributions and perspectives you will bring to Lakas-CMD to help the Marcos administration champion people’s interests,” Romualdez said.
“Your commitment to serving the Filipino people will play a major role in the continued success of Lakas-CMD and positively impact our constituents nationwide. We will support and take care of you, and please do not hesitate to reach out to the party leadership,” Romualdez added.
Reps. Rosemarie Conejos Panotes (Camarines Norte, 2nd District), Dale Corvera (Agusan del Norte, 2nd District), Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro, 1st District), and Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (Caloocan City, 2nd District), and San Jose Del Monte City Mayor Arturo Robes took their oath as new Lakas-CMD members before Romualdez, party president and leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
Romualdez administered the oath-taking in simple rites at the Social Hall of the Office of the Speaker at Batasan Complex in Quezon City.
Panotes, Corvera, Cajayon-Uy, and Robes were former members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) while Suan was a former member of the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Recently, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin II, Siquijor Rep. Zaldy Villa, Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, Parañaque City Rep. Edwin Olivares, Pasay City Rep. Antonino Calixto, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Glona Labadlabad, and Cebu Rep. Eduardo Roa Rama Jr. had also joined the Lakas-CMD.
Gonzales, Lazatin, Villa, Olivares, Calixto, Labadlabad, and Rama were also former members of the PDP-Laban. Suansing was a former NP member.
The event was witnessed by House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe and Agusan Del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino.
This developed as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has submitted to the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA), for confirmation, the ad interim appointment of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
“Secretary Laurel and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa are on top of the new batch of 57 presidential appointees – mostly foreign service officers – awaiting their confirmation hearings,” CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Tuesday.
The 25-member CA is empowered by the Constitution to vet the competence, fitness, and integrity of key presidential appointees, including Cabinet members, and to approve or disapprove them.
“We would urge the public to submit to the CA Secretariat any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the appointees,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel’s remarks came a day after fisherfolk grouped under the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) challenged Laurel to withdraw the Frabelle Group of Companies’ 944-hectare reclamation project in Bacoor Bay, a large inlet of southeastern Manila Bay.
Frabelle is carrying out the massive reclamation project in a joint venture with the Bacoor City government and Diamond Export Corp.
Pimentel said he expects the CA committees concerned to schedule their respective confirmation hearings soon, “considering that we only have a few session days before Congress goes on recess for the Christmas holidays.”
Congress is set to adjourn for the holidays on Dec. 16 and will not resume session until Jan. 22, 2024.
Under CA rules, officials who fail to obtain the commission’s consent by the time Congress adjourns will have to be reappointed by Malacañang.