THE administration party Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has assured itself of control of at least a third of the House of Representatives with a month to go before the opening of the 20th Congress.
The office of Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday announced that five incoming members of the House have joined the ruling party, bringing the number of Lakas-CMD-controlled seats to 108, more than a third of the expected total of 318 – 255 from regular districts and 63 from party-list groups.
The five new members are Representatives-elect Leandro Leviste (Independent) of Batangas, Mauricio Domogan (Independent) of Baguio City and John Tracy Cagas (Nacionalista Party) of Davao del Sur, all of whom were administered their membership oath before the Speaker, who is the Lakas-CMD party president.
Last Tuesday, Representatives-elect Edwin Cruzado (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) of Cotabato province and Reynaldo Salvacion (Independent) of Marinduque likewise took their oath before the Speaker.
Erik Martel (Independent), Mayor-elect of Abucay, Bataan and former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog were also sworn in by Romualdez on the same day as new Lakas-CMD members.
Romualdez thanked the new party members for choosing to join Lakas-CMD.
He said party membership growth strengthens support in Congress for President Marcos Jr., his legislative agenda, and the Bagong Pilipinas programs and goals.
“I am joining Lakas just as it was my mother’s first party when she was elected senator in 1998,” Leviste said. “It feels meaningful to return to these roots at a time when unity and progress are needed most.”
His mother, Senator Loren Legarda, was the youngest senator elected in 1998 and served as vice president of Lakas for the Visayas at age 38. At the time, Leandro was just five years old.
The party’s 108 congressmen now comprise at least a third of the membership of the incoming House.
According to Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez, Romualdez is now assured of the support of at least 285 House members to continue leading the chamber in the next Congress.
