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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Malakas pa rin ang Lakas': Romualdez party to be most dominant in 20th Congress

'Malakas pa rin ang Lakas': Romualdez party to be most dominant in 20th Congress

Published May 13, 2025 05:34 pm

At A Glance

  • The Martin Romualdez-led Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) will retain its tag as the most dominant political party in the House of Representatives this upcoming 20th Congress.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

The Martin Romualdez-led Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) will retain its tag as the most dominant political party in the House of Representatives this upcoming 20th Congress.
This, after the House Speaker's office revealed in a statement that Lakas-CMD had secured 104 seats--roughly a third of the lower chamber--in the just-concluded mid-term elections.Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, is concurrently the Speaker and Lakas-CMD president.
Data coming from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) sent to Speaker Romualdez by Lakas-CMD Executive Director Anna Capella Velasco indicated that 104 emerged victorious from 128 congressional candidates fielded by the party.
“This is a vote of confidence not just in our candidates, but in the kind of leadership and unity that Lakas-CMD represents,” said Romualdez, who added that the party remains firmly at the helm of the House majority.
“As party president, I am deeply grateful to the Filipino people for reaffirming our role as a driving force for progress and good governance," he said.
The victories include 79 reelected incumbents and 25 new representatives, showcasing a balanced mix of experience and fresh energy under the party’s expanding national umbrella.
Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa)--one of the oldest associations of legal luminaries in the country--said the electoral performance ensures that it will continue to lead legislative efforts in support of President Marcos' Bagong Pilipinas agenda.
The Speaker had just won his third straight term in the lower chamber.
“Lakas-CMD is not just winning elections—we’re building a long-term vision of leadership, service, and nation-building. With this fresh mandate, we are ready to work harder, legislate better, and serve every Filipino with even greater urgency,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez thanks constituents
The Comelec Provincial Board of Canvassers, chaired by lawyer Ma. Goretti Caseñas-Cañas officially confirmed the  victory of Speaker Romualdez during its session Tuesday at the New Provincial Capitol in Palo, Leyte.
Following his proclamation, Romualdez expressed deep gratitude to the people of Leyte’s 1st district.
“Ito pong pagkapanalo ay hindi tagumpay ko, kundi tagumpay ng buong distrito natin—ng bawat pamilyang Waray na patuloy na nagtitiwala sa ating pamumuno. Sa tulong ninyo, mas lalakas pa ang tinig ng Leyte sa Kongreso. Mas marami tayong magagawa, mas marami tayong matutulungan,” he said.
(This victory is not my triumph alone, but the triumph of our entire district—of every Waray family that continues to trust in our leadership. With your support, Leyte's voice in Congress will grow even stronger. We will accomplish more and help even more people.)
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