Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel takes his oath as new 

Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel has finally found a new home after leaving the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). 

He announced this through his postings on Facebook Monday, Dec. 11. 

A former deputy speaker, Pimentel is now party of the National Unity Party (NUP), one of the largest and most respected political parties in and out of the House of Representatives. 

In one of his posts, the Mindanaoan shared photos of his oath-taking, which was administrated by NUP Chairman Ronaldo Puno and witnessed by NUP President Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte. 

A subsequent post showed a video of Pimentel shaking hands with many of his new party-mates at a get-together. "Warmly welcomed by NUP leaders and member," read the video caption. 

Erstwhile ruling party PDP-Laban is chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte, who also hails from Mindanao. 

Pimentel said PDP-Laban had 65 members when the 19th Congress began in July 2022. 

But the re-emergence of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)--headed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez--has put a huge dent on PDP-Laban's membership. 

Pimentel, in an interview last Nov. 14, said Duterte-led party could be left with just four members in the House when all is said and done. 

Pimentel resigned from PDP-Laban on Nov. 16. He was with the party for the past five years.