More House members join, ally with Lakas-CMD –Romualdez

A total of 42 House lawmakers are now affiliated with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) after two lawmakers joined and four others signed up as allies, party president and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said Sunday.

In a statement, Romualdez announced that Quezon City Representative Anthony Peter "Onyx" Crisologo took his oath as a party member on Friday night at the Majority Leader's Office before the adjournment of the House special session.

He added that Zamboanga City Representative Manuel Jose Dalipe also took the oath to become a member of Lakas-CMD on September 15, and had another ceremonial oath-taking on Thursday.

Before transferring to Lakas-CMD, Dalipe was a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition while Crisologo was from the National Unity Party.

“Lakas-CMD is gaining momentum in its goal to strengthen its ranks in
the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said, adding that the party is committed to supporting the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, four lawmakers became allies of the party, namely Senior Citizens party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes, Duterte Youth party-list Representative Ducielle Cardema, BHW party-list Representative Angelina Natasha Co, and DUMPER PTDA party-list Representative Claudine Diana Bautista, said Romualdez.

They all signed the "Declaration of Alliance for Unity and Progress" with the party to further solidify their support for President Rodrigo Duterte and the House's legislative agenda, he added.

All in all, Lakas-CMD now has 21 members and 21 allies in the House.

Recently, Camiguin Representative Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Dinagat Islands Representative Alan Ecleo, and Quezon City Representative Precious Castelo joined Lakas-CMD.

The party is currently chaired by Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. — DVM, GMA News