Three more lawmakers have joined Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), less than two weeks before the 19th Congress convenes and hears the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 25.
The affiliation of the new members brought to 60 the total membership of Lakas-CMD, making it one of the biggest political groups in the House of Representatives.
The new members are Reps. Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay’s second district, Maria Vanessa Aumentado of Bohol’s second district, and Ian Paul Dy of Isabela’s third district, respectively.
Salceda, Aumentado, and Dy took their oath before Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, who is Lakas-CMD president, in a simple ceremony in Manila City Thursday afternoon.
“We welcome our new members. We are delighted by their decision to join us. We look forward to a productive engagement with them and the rest of our membership,” Romualdez said.
He said Lakas-CMD’s expansion “will strengthen support in Congress for the legislative and unity agenda of President Bongbong Marcos.”
At the same event, Romualdez also formally administered Reps. Wilter Yap Palma (Zamboanga Sibugay), Ambrosio Cruz Jr. (Bulacan), Joseph Lara (Cagayan), and Francisco Jose Matugas II’s (Surigao del Norte) oathtaking.
Palma, Cruz, Lara, and Matugas were already members of Lakas-CMD.
Biliran Board Member Roselyn Espina-Paras and her son, Jose Antonio Paras; and Mindanao leaders, lawyer Al Hamid P. Diron, lawyer, Melanie Mae Cabanlas, Maharani Abdullah- Pacasum, Hamza Dimaporo, Johannah Diron-Dimaporo, Shaharaine Abdullah, Nabila Pangandaman, and Ahmad Amir Balindong also took their oath as Lakas-CMD members before Romualdez.
Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes took his oath of office before Romualdez.
Lakas-CMD is considered an administration party, having supported the candidacies of and campaigned hard for Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, who chairs the party.
Romualdez served as House Majority Leader in the 18th Congress.
On Tuesday, regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) President and Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista and Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas took their oath as Lakas-CMD members.
Romualdez administered Bautista and Arenas’ oathtaking in Makati City that was witnessed by Vice President and Education Sec. Sara Duterte, Lakas-CMD and HNP chairperson.