Two more incoming solons join Lakas-CMD; strength now at 110
House Speaker Martin Romualdez is seen as maintaining supermajority support in the 20th Congress —File photo by Lyn Rillon | Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The number of Lakas-CMD members in the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress has swelled to 110 after two more incoming lawmakers joined the majority party, the Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.
In a statement on Monday, Romualdez’s office said the two new incoming House members are Representative-elect Jhong Ceniza of Davao de Oro’s 2nd District, and Representative-elect Gerald Galang of Valenzuela’s 2nd District.
Aside from the two, Davao de Oro Governor Raul Mabanglo also took his oath as Lakas-CMD members, while Davao Del Norte 1st District Rep. Oyo Uy, Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Jojo Lara, and Laak, Davao de Oro Mayor Mark Anthony Libuangan took their oath of office before Romualdez.
Romualdez thanked the new set of lawmakers for joining the party.
“Your decision to join us means that you share our collective aspiration and the goal of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to improve the lives of our constituents, our people in general,” he said.
“As we grow in numbers, we strengthen support in Congress in our communities for the President’s legislative agenda and Bagong Pilipinas vision and roadmap,” he added.
Just last June 4, Romualdez’s office announced that Lakas-CMD’s membership at the House for the 20th Congress is now at 108, after a mix of five returning and incoming lawmakers joined the party.
The five lawmakers for the 20th Congress who joined are the following:
- Batangas 1st District Representative-elect Leandro Legarda Leviste (formerly independent)
- Baguio City Representative-elect Mauricio Domogan (formerly independent)
- Davao del Sur Rep. John Tracy Cagas (formerly with Nacionalista Party)
- Cotabato 1st District Representative-elect Edwin Crusado (formerly with Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino)
- Marinduque Representative-elect Reynaldo Salvacion (formerly Independent)
READ: Lakas-CMD in House swells to 108 as 5 more solons join
With the increase in party membership, Lakas-CMD remains the largest bloc in the House, and Romualdez is seen maintaining supermajority support for the 20th Congress.
Last May 25, Lakas-CMD member and Deputy Speaker David Suarez announced that there was a wide coalition backing Romualdez’s leadership, effectively creating a supermajority.
Aside from Lakas-CMD, Suarez said the supermajority bloc consists of the Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., and some members of the Liberal Party.
This new supermajority, Suarez said, shows that President Marcos’ call for unity still stands. /atm
