Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath of office to newly-elected lawmakers who will take their seat at the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress during simple rites held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office Wednesday afternoon. Among those who took their oath were: Reps. James “Jojo” Ang, Jr. (Uswag Ilonggo), John Tracy Cagas (Lone District, Davao del Sur), Agatha Cruz (5th District, Bulacan), Manay Gina De Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan), Mauricio Domogan (Lone District, City of Baguio Benguet), Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag (1st District, Laguna), Salvador Pleyto (6th District, Bulacan, Raymond Adrian Salceda (3rd District, Albay), Josephine Tallado (1st District, Camarines Norte), Joseph Tan (4th District, Isabela), Caroline Tanchay (Kamalayan) and Girlie Enrique Veloso (Malasakit@Bayanihan).
FIVE new members of the House of Representatives in the incoming 20th Congress have joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the largest political party in Congress and in the country.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD, administered the oath of membership Wednesday to Representatives-elect Leandro Leviste (Independent) of the 1st District of Batangas, Mauricio Domogan (Independent) of the Lone District of Baguio City and John Tracy Cagas (NP) of the Lone District of Davao del Sur.
On Tuesday, Representatives-elect Edwin Crusado (PMP) of Cotabato’s First District and Reynaldo Salvacion (Independent) of the Lone District of Marinduque took their oath before Speaker Romualdez.
The oath-taking was witnessed by House members and other Lakas-CMD officials.
With their inclusion, the number of Lakas-CMD members in the House of Representatives in the next Congress now stands at 108.
Erik Martel (Independent), Mayor-elect of Abucay, Bataan and former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog were also sworn in by Speaker Romualdez on the same day as new Lakas-CMD members.
Speaker Romualdez thanked the new party members for choosing to join Lakas-CMD.
“Your decision means that you share—as we all in Lakas-CMD do—the aspiration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for our people to have a better life and to sustain our country’s economic growth,” he said.
He added that their entry also strengthens support in Congress for President Marcos Jr., his legislative agenda, and the Bagong Pilipinas programs and goals.
The House leader expressed hope that the five lawmakers would have a fruitful and meaningful engagement with Lakas-CMD and its members.
Speaker Romualdez said he looked forward to more extensive discussions and camaraderie with them.
“I am joining Lakas just as it was my mother’s first party when she was elected senator in 1998,” Legarda Leviste said. “It feels meaningful to return to these roots at a time when unity and progress are needed most.”
Leandro’s 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-members now comprise at least a third of the membership of the incoming House.
According to Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez, Speaker Romualdez is now assured of the support of at least 285 House members to continue leading the chamber in the next Congress.
