Lakas-CMD retains control of the House of Representatives after welcoming another member on Tuesday, bringing the party’s total strength in the chamber to 71.
Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, the newest member of the House’s most prominent political clan, was sworn into office by Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“I thank Cong. Flores for joining the right political party whose commitment is to work towards a better future for our nation. We are honored to welcome you today as the 71st House member of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, a dedicated advocate for positive change,” said Romualdez, the party’s president.
Some House leaders, including House majority leader Mannix Dalipe and chairperson emeritus and former president, now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, witnessed the event.
The party’s growing membership, according to Romualdez, is to steamroll legislative support to the presidential agenda for prosperity and socio-economic development.
“Let us join together in our drive for meaningful progress in addressing our country’s critical issues,” said the House chief.
The late then-president Fidel V. Ramos founded and served as chairperson emeritus of the Lakas-CMD in 1999, which Romualdez now leads with Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the campaign season for last year’s polls, the Lakas-CMD actively supported the Marcos-Duterte tandem and is now considered an administration party.
The number of its members ballooned days before Marcos held his first State of the Nation Address in July.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged Northern Luzon lawmakers to strengthen the “Solid North” regional bloc and maintain its unity and relevance for the country’s benefit.
The President made the call during the oathtaking ceremony of the newly elected officials of the Northern Luzon Alliance held in Malacañang.
In his speech, Marcos recalled the difficult times when the group was considered politically irrelevant.
“(T)hose times that we went through that, the Ilocano bloc remained solid. And the result is that we are now here celebrating the taking the oath of new officers of the Northern Alliance here in the Palace,” Marcos said.