TWO more members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon joined Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is Lakas-CMD president, administered the oath to South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Peter B. Miguel and Laguna 2nd District Rep. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez at the Speaker’s Office in Quezon City.

“It’s a great honor and pleasure to have all of you today (Tuesdsy) and it’s an auspicious day because you have joined Lakas-CMD. We thank you for coming and I am here personally to assure you that you have joined the right party,” Speaker Romualdez told the new Lakas-CMD members.

Miguel and Mariano-Hernandez are the 69th and 70th House members, respectively, to join the party.

Other local government officials also took the oath before Romualdez together with Miguel and Mariano-Hernandez.

They are Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Ryan Luis Singson, Biñan City Mayor Walfredo Dimaguila Jr., Vice Mayor Angelo B. Alonte, and Councilors Libunero O. Alatiit, Jayson A. Souza, Elmario Dimaranan, Flaviano D. Pecaa, Jr., Elvis L. Bedia, Rommel R. Dicdican, Jonalina R. Reyes, Christopher A. Alba, Rafael L. Cardeño Jr., Alvin Z. Garcia and Victor L. Cariño of Biñan City.

Mayors Jose Paolo Teves III of Baras, Juan Rodulfo of Bato, Odilon Pascua of Bagamanoc, Glenda Aguilar of Caramoan, Vicente Tayam Jr. of Gigmoto, and Cesar Robles of Panganiban, all in the province of Catanduanes, also took their oath as Lakas-CMD members.

Non-incumbent local officials Cora June Lagasca-Solano, Aristeo A. Ragay, Allan B. Valenzuela, Cristobal E. Notado Jr., Inocasio C. Noora, Dave E. Peñaflor, Milany V. Ragay, Jaime B. Cacatian, Roslin P. Oro, and Menardo G. Olivan from San Fernando, Camarines Sur also took their oath as Lakas-CMD members.

Other House officials, including Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, witnessed the oath-taking.

Welcoming his party’s new members, Romualdez said he is happy that they have decided to join Lakas-CMD.

“We continue to grow our membership in support of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Agenda for Prosperity and socio-economic development roadmap,” Romualdez stressed.

He said the administration’s economic blueprint has started to reap fruits as shown by the better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first six months of the President’s six-year term.

“We will do our best to make such growth trickle down to the poor sectors of our society through social services and direct financial assistance programs,” the Speaker said.