Billy Begas
Twenty-three members of the incoming 19th Congress have joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) being led by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who is poised to become the next Speaker.
This brings the members of Lakas-CMD to 50.
Romualdez administered the oath to the new party members at Lakas-CMD Headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Thursday afternoon.
“We look forward to having a fruitful engagement with them and sharing the values and advocacies we have followed and pursued as one of the biggest political parties in the country,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez said the growing membership of Lakas-CMD would strengthen support for the legislative agenda of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Among the new members are Representatives David Suarez (Quezon), Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City), Dean Asistio (Caloocan City), Faustino Dy V (Isabela), Marlyn Alonte (Biñan City), Emmarie Ouano-Dizon (Mandaue City), Cheeno Almario (Davao Oriental), Francisco Jose Matugas II (Surigao del Norte), Samier Tan (Sulu), Jurdin Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin), Dimple Mastura (Maguindanao), Christopherson Yap (Southern Leyte), Irwin Tieng (Manila), Midy Cua (Quirino), Ernix Dionisio (Manila), Edsel Galeos (Cebu), Jinky Bitrics Luistro (Batangas), Arnan Panaligan (Oriental Mindoro), Doris Maniquiz (Zambales), Joseph Tan (Isabela), Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III (Isabela), Jojo Lara (Cagayan) and Steve Solon (Sarangani).
It was learned that all of the 23 have signed their Oath of Membership but some are yet to take their actual oath taking.
Camiguin Governor-elect Xavier Jesus Romualdo, incoming Santiago City, Isabela Mayor Alyssa Sheena Tan and Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe also joined the oath taking.
Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter “Sharky” Palma II, the Lakas-CMD’s Deputy Secretary General, said they expected members of the incoming Congress to gravitate toward their party since it was at the forefront of the campaign that led to the landslide victory of Marcos and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
Duterte is the chairperson of Lakas-CMD.
