Gina de Venecia joins Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD

Former lawmaker Gina de Venecia and 15 officials from Pangasinan’s 4th district are among the newest members of ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced Thursday.

“We are truly grateful to welcome all of you to our party, especially our beloved ‘Manay Gina’ as she is fondly called, who is not only a respected figure in her own right but also the spouse of our esteemed Co-chairman Emeritus,” said Romualdez, referring to former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr.

Romualdez, who is also the current Lakas-CMD president, administered the oath of the 16 new Lakas-CMD members in a ceremony held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. 

“We look forward to working closely with you as we continue to champion the values of integrity, service, and progress that Lakas-CMD holds dear and to support the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for socioeconomic transformation towards a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society,” added Romualdez.

‘Manay Gina’ served as a member of the House of Representatives as Pangasinan 4th district representative from 2010 to 2016.

During the 2022 elections, the de Venecia couple endorsed the presidential bid of then Vice President Leni Robredo.

The son of the de Venecia couple, Christopher, currently serves as the Pangasinan fourth district representative.

Other new Lakas-CMD party members include Mayor Marlyn Agbayani and Councilors Hercules Magliba, Errol Sison, Rolando Pedralvez, Marieta Cuaresma, Chelsea Narvasa, and Kimberly Bandarlipe of San Fabrian, Pangasinan, as well as Mayor Leo de Vera, Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario, along with Winston  Chutan, Eduardo Paraan, Nemo de Vera, Pedro Palaganas, Merlinda Tantay, Arnold Saragoza of San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

Also at the ceremony were Tingog party-list lawmaker Yedda Marie Romualdez, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City lawmaker Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Agusan Del Norte lawmaker Jose “Joboy” Aquino, among others.—RF, GMA Integrated News