House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Tuesday afternoon administered the oath of three mayors in Zamboanga del Sur as new members of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
Bayog Mayor Celso A. Matias, San Miguel Mayor Angelito L. Martinez II and Guipos Mayor Vicente P. Cajeta was sworn in as new party members by Romualdez and witnessed by House Deputy Majority Leaders Wilter Wee Palma II of Zamboanga Sibugay and Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga via Zoom application.
“Welcome to the ever growing Lakas-CMD party. The leadership is always here to make sure that all your concens and requirements are addressed. Ang problema n’yo ay problema namin. We are family here. That’s the mandate of the party leadership,” Romualdez, President of the Lakas-CMD and chairman of the powerful House committee on rules, told the new members during the ceremony.
“Joining the Lakas-CMD is the right decision. The leadership is committed to help the concerns of our members,” said Palma.
Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Leonardo Babasa, Jr., who joined the Lakas-CMD last June 8, shepherded Matias, Martinez and Cajeta to the to Lakas-CMD.
With the recent entry of Babasa, a former member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the Lakas-CMD’s strength has increased to 35 with 17 congressional districts and 18 party-list lawmaker-allies.
Romualdez reiterated the strong commitment of the Lakas-CMD to support the passage of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s legislative agenda.
“The Lakas-CMD political party is a staunch ally of the government and will continue to support the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda,” said Romualdez, the co-chairman of the Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that spearheaded the passage of at least six anti-COVID measures designed to kick-start the economy through infrastructure spending programs that would create jobs and boost public health following the global health emergency.
Lakas-CMD produced two Presidents, namely Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a former Speaker in the previous 17th Congress.
Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina Jr., and Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman took their oath.as Lakas-CMD members last December, February, and March, respectively.
The other officials and members of the Lakas-CMD in the House of Representatives are 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, and Catanduanes Rep. Hector Sanchez.
The 18 party-list lawmakers who are allied with Lakas-CMD include.Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez, Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, Ako Bisaya Rep. Sonny 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, Deputy Speaker and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Ang Probinsyano Alfred Delos Santos, Senior Citizens Rep. Franciso Datol Jr., and APEC Rep. Sergio Dagooc.
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 Cayetano. Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. is the Lakas-CMD chairman.