House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Speaker’s office, 

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan's (PDP-Laban) loss continues to become the Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats' (Lakas-CMD) gain. 

This, after another three House of Representatives members from PDP-Laban namely Reps. Richard Kho, Olga Kho, and Wilton Kho of Masbate’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd district, respectively, were sworn into Lakas-CMD's fold by no less than House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

The oath-taking, which took place Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Speaker's social Hall, brought to 89 the number of Lakas-CMD's members in the House--the largest in the chamber. Romualdez is the party president. 

Erstwhile ruling party PDP-Laban is chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija 1st district Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing and Cagayan de Oro City 1st district Rep. Lordan Suan also joined the Lakas-CMD. They were former stalwarts of the Nacionalista Party (NP). 

A total of 17 town mayors and a municipal vice mayor, mostly from Aklan, were also sworn in as new party members of Lakas.

“We are elated to welcome our colleagues and local officials, who, we believe, share our deep commitment to help our beloved President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., further grow our economy, create more income and job opportunities, and make food products accessible and affordable. In sum, to make life generally better for our people,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House, and other party officials hoped that “Our new members will have a memorable and fruitful engagement with us, and we look forward to exchanging views and experiences with them.” 

Before the Khos, a total of 10 ex-PDP-Laban stalwarts had jumped ship to Lakas-CMD in the last 2 days. Some of them came from Mindanao, which is supposedly the Duterte's turf region. 

The defectors from PDP-Laban were Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Pampanga Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, Siquijor Rep. Zaldy Villa, Parañaque City 1st district Rep. Edwin Olivares, Pasay City lone district Rep. Antonino Calixto, Zamboanga del Norte 2nd Ddstrict Rep. Glona Labadlabad, Cebu 2nd district Rep. Eduardo Roa Rama Jr., Camarines Norte 2nd district Rep. Rosemarie Conejos Panotes, Agusan del Norte 2nd district Rep. Dale Corvera, and Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy. 

Tuesday's oath-taking was witnessed by House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe and Agusan del Norte 1st district Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino, as well as other members of Lakas.