5 new House members join Lakas-CMD

MANILA, Philippines — Five new members of the House of Representatives in the incoming 20th Congress, including a son of Sen. Loren Legarda, have joined the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

The oath-taking of congressmen-elect Leandro Legarda Leviste, Mauricio Domogan, John Tracy Cagas, Edwin Crusado and Reynaldo Salvacion brought to 108 the total number of Lakas members in the chamber. 

They were sworn in by Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The ruling political party comprises at least a third of the membership of the incoming House.

Leviste and Cruzado represent the first districts of Batangas and Cotabato, respectively.

Domogan, Cagas and Salvacion represent the lone districts of Baguio, Davao del Sur and Marinduque, respectively.

“I am joining Lakas just as it was my mother’s first party when she was elected senator in 1998,” Leviste said. “It feels meaningful to return to these roots at a time when unity and progress are needed most.”

Legarda was the youngest senator elected in 1998 and served as vice president of Lakas for the Visayas at age 38. At the time, Leviste was just five years old.

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

Aside from the new House members, Romualdez also swore in mayor-elect Erik Martel of Abucay, Bataan and former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog as new Lakas-CMD members. 

Romualdez thanked the new party members for choosing Lakas-CMD.