Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD signs alliance pact with major parties in House

Speaker Martin Romualdez's Lakas-CMD on Monday signed an alliance agreement with major political parties in the House of Representatives.

Lakas' pact with the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc., PDP-Laban, Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, and Nationalist People's Coalition will last until the 19th Congress adjourns in June 2025.

The agreement stated the parties' "full and unqualified support" for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Romualdez signed for Lakas while Ako Bikol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and Antipolo Rep. Roberto Puno signed for PLCFI and NUP respectively.

Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit signed for the NPC and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales signed for PDP-Laban. Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona signed for the Nacionalista Party.

The signing of the alliance agreement happened a day after Lakas-CMD’s chairman emeritus Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo denied that she had been told by a House member that a plot to oust Romualdez had the blessing of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

Arroyo was absent at the signing of the alliance agreement on Monday afternoon. 

The House of Representatives almost two weeks ago voted to elect Gonzales senior deputy speaker to replace Arroyo. Arroyo remained deputy speaker.

Arroyo has since denied that she plotted to unseat her party mate Romualdez as Speaker.

Vice President Sara Duterte then resigned from the Lakas-CMD.

Romualdez, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has said any effort to destabilize the House must be nipped in the bud. 

Marcos called the change in the House part of normal reorganization in the House. —NB, GMA Integtrated News