ffif"esslnsight

Wednesday, September 4, 2Ot9

Lakas-CMD continues
to bolster ranks
BY WEIIDETL VIqLTA

THELakas-Chtistian-MuslimDemocratscontinuestosttengthen
its ranks as two congressmen took thejr oath Monday night as
new membets vrhile five patty-lisf lawmakers signed an allialrce
agreement'with the party.-
' Zainboanga Sibugay Rep. -SUilter "Sharky'' Wee Palma II, a
deputy majority leader, aod Catanduanes Rep. Hector Sanchez
were sworn in at the Quezon City tesidence of formet president
and speaker Gloria Macapag-al-Arroyo, the chairman emerirus
of the parry.
'ILakas-CMD is open for new members and we will continue
to strengthen our political influence nationwide," said House
mafority leader Ma(in Romualdez, party ptesident.
Lakas-CMD officials arid rgembers led by deputy majority
leader and Pampanga RCp. Juan Miguel "Mikey'' Aroyq the
party vice president forLwzoh, attended the event.
^ "i feel ai home'here, especially with the eompetent leader-
ship of House Maiority Leader Romualdez," said Palma, who
abandoned the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng
Bayan @DP-Laban).
,
Last month, San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes, one
of the 14lawmakers vrho bolted the ding party and ioined the
National Unity Party, admitted that the tr.ansfer to NUP was
caused by their disappointment over the committee assignments
among members of ihe PDP-Labffi. *
-
Sanchez, an independent ex-governor who was a former
member of the Lakas-National Union of Christian Democrats
(I-akas-NUCD) more than two decades ago, cited Lakas-CMD's
"coherent and workable" leadership of Romualdez for its mgrn-
btrs in returning to his previous political party. r, ..
Also on Monday night, party-list Reps..rYedda MarieKittilit-
vedt Romualdez (Iingog); Michael Defrhtor (Anakalirsugan);
Sonny "SLl'.Lagon (Ako Bisaya); AJfredo Garbin (Ako Bicol)
and Ana MaieYillanza-Suarez (Alona) were declared "Lakas-
CMD allies" after signing the "Declaration of Alliance for Unity
and Progress" with the party to further solidi$' their support to
the legislative agenda of President Dute{te and Speakir Alan
Peter Cayetano.
"We are Lakas-CMD allies with shared objectives to support
the President's programs and his legislative agenda as well ?rs that
of the House leadership under Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano,"
said Defensor. .r
, '.rWe will continue to work on'achievin! the national develop-
ment and reform agenda whidh'will enhance the quality of life
of our people," Lagon said,
From only two members during the recent 17th Congress,
Lakas-CMD has now 13 members and five allies in the House
oF Representatives.
Last month, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, a former House Ma-
joiqLeadet, and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles ioined Lakas-CMD.
The other officials and members of Lakas-CMD include Ar-
royo, deputy speaker Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. of Surigao
del Sur; Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Balindong; deputy mafority
leader Christopher "Toff" de Venecia of Pa4gasinan; Quezon
Rep. Aleta Suarez, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza, Negros