Lakas-CMD reiterates support for Romualdez speakership bid

MANILA, Philippines — The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party yesterday reiterated its support for its president, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, to be elected speaker in the next Congress.

The party at the same time announced that several newly elected House members have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD.

Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter Palma II, the party’s deputy secretary general, said the Lakas-CMD leadership is considering welcoming the lawmakers into its fold.

“Some of our colleagues have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD. We are very proud and happy to support our president to become our Speaker in the next Congress,” Palma said.

Lakas-CMD earlier formally endorsed Romualdez for the top House position.

The endorsement was contained in Resolution No. 05, Series of 2022, which the party’s executive committee has approved.

The resolution was signed by committee members led by vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., who co-chair the party.

The approval of the resolution followed a previous appeal on May 14 from former president and comebacking Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Lakas-CMD president emeritus, for party members to support Romualdez for the speakership.

In its resolution, Lakas-CMD believes Romualdez “can lead the House of Representatives into being an effective partner of the incoming administration.”

The party resolved to endorse and support the House leader “to run for and be voted as Speaker in the 19th Congress.”

Other parties that have declared their support for the incumbent majority leader include PDP-Laban, National Unity Party, Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nationalist People’s Coalition, independents and the group of neophytes.

Romualdez’s endorsers now comprise an overwhelming majority of the members of the incoming House.

His supporters said he would be an asset to the administration of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. because of his “legislative prowess” in shepherding the approval of important pieces of legislation.

In her May 14 statement, Arroyo said she was throwing her support behind Romualdez and was urging “all members of our party to do the same.”