Speaker Martin Romualdez (2nd from right) administers the oath as new Lakas-CMD member to Isabela 2nd district Rep. Ed Christopher Go (rightmost) during simple rites held at the Speaker's office in the House of Representatives. Witnessing the event are Agusan del Norte 1st district Rep. Jose "Joboy" Aquino; Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., and Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe. (Speaker’s office)

Two congressmen--one from Manila and one from Isabela--have became the latest recruits of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the dominant political party in the House of Representatives. 

On Monday afternoon, July 29, House Speaker Martin Romualdez administered the oath of membership to Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua and Isabela 2nd district Rep. Ed Christopher Go in the presence of other party officers. 

The two became the 101st and 102nd members of the Lakas-CMD as far as representatives in the House were concerned. This means that a third of House members are Lakas-CMD stalwarts. 

Meanwhile, Soledad Go, wife of Baguio City lone district Rep. Mark Go also joined Lakas-CMD. 

Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, said he was happy to welcome the new party members. 

“They share our principles and aspirations for a better life for our people and a more progressive Philippines,” said the Leyte 1st district representative 

Romualdez said Lakas-CMD's expanded membership means wider support in Congress for the administration of President Marcos. 

Marcos belongs to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), a coalition ally of Lakas-CMD. 

Aside from lawmakers, the administration party has also been attracting local officials. 

Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Redencio Gonzales, Vice Mayor Jonathan Pangan, and Councilor Ma. Angela Pangan also took their oath before Speaker Romualdez as new members of Lakas-CMD Monday afternoon.