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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lakas members in House swell to 108 ahead of 20th Congress

Lakas members in House swell to 108 ahead of 20th Congress

Published Jun 4, 2025 02:49 pm

At A Glance

  • The number of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwarts in the House of Representatives has ballooned to 108 some two months before the start of the 20th Congress.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) shakes hands with incoming Batangas 1st district Leandro Legarda Leviste (Contributed photo)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) shakes hands with incoming Batangas 1st district Leandro Legarda Leviste (Contributed photo)


The number of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwarts in the House of Representatives has ballooned to 108 some two months before the start of the 20th Congress.

This, after five more House members joined the dominant political party under its president, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, administered the oath of membership Wednesday, June 4 to representatives-elect Leandro Legarda Leviste (Independent) of Batangas' 1st district, Mauricio Domogan (Independent) of Baguio City's lone district and John Tracy Cagas (NP) of Davao del Sur's lone district.

On Tuesday, June 3, representatives-elect Edwin Crusado (PMP) of Cotabato’s 1st district and Reynaldo Salvacion (Independent) of Marinduque's lone nominee took their oath also before the Speaker.

The oath-taking was witnessed by House members and other Lakas-CMD officials.

With the five solons' inclusion, the number of Lakas-CMD members in the lower chamber in the next Congress now stands at 108.

Meanwhile, Erik Martel (Independent), mayor-elect of Abucay, Bataan; and former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog were also sworn in by Romualdez on the same day as new Lakas-CMD members. 

The Speaker 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.

Romualdez added that their entry also strengthens support in Congress for President Marcos, his legislative agenda, and the Bagong Pilipinas programs and goals.

The House leader further expressed hope that the five lawmakers would have a fruitful and meaningful engagement with Lakas-CMD and its members. He said he looked forward to more extensive discussions and camaraderie with them.

For Legarda Leviste, his decision to join the party was like going back to his roots.

“Having run as an independent, I am joining Lakas just as it was my mother’s first party when she was elected senator in 1998. It feels meaningful to return to these roots at a time when unity and progress are needed most," Legarda Leviste said. "I look forward to working with other members of Lakas to pass legislation that will benefit the people of the 1st district of Batangas,” he added.

Legarda Leviste'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, Legarda Leviste was just five years old.

The party’s 108 congressman-members now comprise at least a third of the membership of the House in the 20th Congress, which will start in July.

According to House Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez, Speaker Romualdez is now assured of the support of at least 285 House members as far as continuing his leadership in the next Congress is concerned. 
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