2 more lawmakers join Lakas-CMD, House membership climbs to 105

Two more lawmakers have joined Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the largest political party in Congress and in the country.

The affiliation of Reps. Ramon Nolasco Jr. of Cagayan’s 1st district and Maria Ysabel Zamora of the lone district of San Juan City in Metro Manila increased Lakas-CMD’s membership to 105, or more than one third of the total number of members of the House of Representatives.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is Lakas-CMD president, today administered the oath of membership to his two colleagues and 32 other incumbent and former officials, and other politicians eyeing local posts in the May 2025 elections.

Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 307-strong House of Representatives welcomed his new party members.

He said he was happy they chose to join Lakas-CMD.

He said the growing membership of his party “translates into widening support in Congress and in the grassroots level for President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and his Agenda for Prosperity and Bagong Pilipinas.”

The affiliation of Reps. Nolasco Jr. and Zamora followed the recent oath-taking of Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas, Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Isabela Rep. Ed Christopher Go, and former Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo.

Others who took their oath with the newest batch of members were former Cagayan congressman Ramon Nolasco Sr., Vice Mayor Matthew Nolasco of Gattaran, Cagayan; Vice Mayor Miguel M. Zayco of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental; Board Members Joemar Cerebo and Ivy Dalumpines of North Cotabato;

Vice Mayor Ralph Ryan Rafael and Councilors Mylene April Babol, Christopher Barraca, Rommel Varga and Lesslie Bonjoc from Matalam town in North Cotabato.

Seven other municipal councilors in North Cotabato also took their oath of membership. They were Dimple Caogdan of Makilala town, and Falle Allan Maygay, Prinsesa Kristian King, Albert Allado Alisasis, Basilio Parcon, Demegilio Macasarte and Melvin Salvador of the town of Banisilian.

They were joined by Christian Alpuerto, Jude Concepcion, Edmund Rosete, Abdulah Silongan, Samsur Montera, Haron Mantawil and Josie Jadulco, who are eyeing municipal council seats in Matalam in next year’s elections.

Seven other Banisilan politicians eyeing various positions likewise took their oath. They were Aliasis Arlene Baleroso (running for mayor), Aliasis Jesus Faustino (running for vice mayor), Sanny Kadil (running for councilor), and Marife Paredes (running for councilor) and Neneng Macasarte and Rose Cabata.

Two other local politicians also took their oath of membership. They were Albert Santos (running for councilor in M’lang, North Cotabato) and Romeo Dongeto of Jala-Jala, Rizal. (END)

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath to Cagayan 1st District Rep. Ramon Nolasco Jr., former Rep. Ramon Nolasco Sr. and Gattaran Vice Mayor Matthew Nolasco as new members of Lakas-CMD Party during a simple ceremony at the Social Hall of Speaker's Office in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 27, 2024). Witnessing the event are Isabela Rep. Antonio " Tonypet" Albano, Agusan Del Norte Rep. Jose "Joboy" Aquino, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Cagayan Rep. Baby Aline Vargas and Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma.