Hugpong president takes oath as Lakas-CMD member

A stalwart of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chaired by Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday joined national party Lakas-CMD led by Leyte Representative  Martin Romualdez.

In a statement, Lakas-CMD said Davao Occidental Representative Claude Bautista, HNP president, took oath as its newest party member alongside Pangasinan Representative Rachel Arenas on Tuesday afternoon.

Romualdez, seen as the next House speaker, administered Bautista and Arenas' oathtaking in a simple ceremony in Makati City attended by Vice President Duterte, also chairperson of Lakas-CMD.

Both Romualdez and Bautista served as campaign managers of then Davao City mayor Duterte during the 2022 polls.

"It is indeed a great honor and pleasure to welcome Congressman Claude and Congresswoman Arenas. Thank you for joining Lakas-CMD," Romualdez said.

He added the entry of lawmakers to Lakas-CMD would give a boost to the legislative agenda of his cousin, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

"Lakas-CMD is a solid ally of President Bongbong Marcos who received unprecedented mandate, trust and confidence from the people," he said.

With Bautista and Arenas joining Lakas-CMD, the party now has 57 members in the House of Representatives.

Despite joining Lakas-CMD, Bautista will remain as HNP president.—Llanesca T. Panti/AOL, GMA News