3 lawmakers from Visayas join its ranks

THE ranks of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in the House of Representatives further grew to 97 after three more lawmakers from the Visayas region took their oath Monday afternoon as new members of the biggest party in the chamber.

The new party members who took their oath before House Speaker and Lakas-CMD President Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez include Leyte 5th District Rep. Carl Nicolas C. Cari, Samar 2nd District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, and Cebu 1st District Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas.

In his message during the simple oath-taking rites held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office in the House of Representatives, Romualdez extended his warm welcome to three lawmakers who decided to join Lakas-CMD.

“With your wealth of experience, dedication to public service, and unwavering principles, I am confident that your presence will further strengthen our ranks and contribute significantly to our shared vision of progress and unity,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Your decision to align with Lakas-CMD underscores the party’s steadfast commitment to championing the interests and aspirations of the Filipino people,” he added.

Cari came from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), while Tan and Gullas were from the Nacionalista Party.

Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix Dalipe” and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the oath-taking of the three new members of the party.

Speaker Romualdez said he is heartened by the unity and solidarity within Lakas-CMD as they continue to navigate together the challenges and opportunities facing our nation.

“Together, we will work tirelessly with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to address the pressing issues confronting our country and to fulfill our mandate of serving the Filipino people with integrity, compassion, and excellence,” Speaker Romualdez said.

The oath-taking of the three Visayan lawmakers was the latest development in the continuing trend of House Members leaving their original party and affiliating with Lakas-CMD.

On January 30 this year, two other Members of the House joined Lakas-CMD, namely La Union 2nd District Rep. Dante Garcia and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janet Garin.

Garcia was formerly a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, while Garin was from the ranks of the National Unity Party.

Garin said she decided to return to the fold of the party as she has been with Lakas-CMD ever since she joined politics.

She explained that after her stint as Health Secretary, she did not run for a term. When she did, she ran under the banner of the NUP.