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LAKAS-CMD SUPPORTS ROMUALDEZ AMID PI ISSUE

admin February 3, 2024

AROUND 91 members of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in the House of Representatives signed a manifesto declaring their support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

This amid what they said as baseless accusations against the House leader regarding the People’s Initiative (PI) for Charter change (Cha-cha), which some senators have linked to the House leader.

Lakas-CMD executive vice president and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said the lawmakers signed a manifesto supporting Romualdez’s leadership to uphold the principles of democracy.

“We, the members of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in the House of Representatives, stand united in our resolve to defend the integrity of our esteemed Speaker, the Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, against the unfounded criticisms levied upon him in the context of the People’s Initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution,” the manifesto of support read.

The manifesto underscored that the House’s “efficiency” in passing priority measures, including those outlined by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council and in the President’s State of the Nation Address, “showcases our responsiveness and dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of the Filipino people.”

“Our support for the democratic processes, including those that allow for constitutional amendments, is unwavering. We believe in the power of the Constitution as a living document, one that must evolve with the changing needs of our nation,” it stated.

The legislators manifested their commitment to uplift the country’s economic state by introducing necessary and long-overdue changes to the existing Charter.

The lawmakers called for unity and constructive dialogue over “divisive politics” to achieve a “collective goal of national progress and prosperity.”

Among those who signed in the manifesto of support for Romualdez was Pampanga 2nd district Representative and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Lakas-CMD is the dominant political party in the 300-plus strong House of Representatives. Romualdez is the party president, while Arroyo is the chairperson-emeritus.

It can be recalled that Arroyo, from being the House senior deputy speaker, was relegated to deputy speaker on May 17, 2023 after she was linked to an alleged “leaked coup plot” against Romualdez.