By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Five years away from the 2028 presidential race, like dominoes the PDP-Laban faction of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is slowly falling down with three more of its congressmen joining the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The PDP-Laban-Duterte wing is expected to throw its full support to FPRRD’s eldest daughter Vice President Sara Duterte should she renege on her promise not to run in the 2028 presidential contest just like the playbook of her “old man.”

Maharlika NuMedia gathered that with the entry of Masbate Representatives Richard Kho, Olga Kho, and Wilton Kho the total membership of Lakas-CMD in the House of Representatives has now reached 89.

On Tuesday, November 28, Romualdez administered the oath to the three Masbate solons representing the province’s first, second, and third districts in a ceremony at the House of Representatives.

“We are elated to welcome our colleagues and local officials, who, we believe, share our deep commitment to help our beloved President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., further grow our economy, create more income and job opportunities, and make food products accessible and affordable. In sum, to make life generally better for our people,” Romualdez declared.

The Speaker, also PBBM’s first-degree cousin, expressed hope that “our new members will have a memorable and fruitful engagement with us, and we look forward to exchanging views and experiences with them.”

The three Masbate lawmakers were former members of PDP-Laban.

Last Friday, Nov. 24, prominent Davaoeño officials like Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario, Davao Oriental Vice Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Jr., and provincial board members Andy Monday, Benjie Bulaong, Rochie Ravelo, Daud Linsag, and Harold Montes also parted ways with PDP-Laban and joined Lakas.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Three ranking members of the PDP-Laban faction of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and one from former Senate President Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party (NP) have defected to the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) headed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

On Tuesday, November 21, Romualdez administered the oath to Representatives Rosemarie Conejos Panotes (Camarines Norte, 2nd District), Dale B. Corvera (Agusan del Norte, 2nd District), Lordan G. Suan (Cagayan de Oro, 1st District), and Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (Caloocan, 2nd District) as new Lakas-CMD members at the Social Hall of the Office of the Speaker at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

Panotes, Corvera, Cajayon-Uy, and Mayor Robes were former members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) while Suan was from the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Witnessing the event were Majority Leader Manuel Jose ‘Mannix’ Dalipe and Lakas-CMD Secretary General Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino 2nd (Agusan del Norte, 1st District).

Seemingly unaffected by the “snubbing” of Vice President Sara Duterte, the Speaker warmly welcomed the new members of Lakas-CMD.

“Our heartfelt welcome to our new members. We are delighted and excited to have you on board. With your exceptional skills, experience, and dedication, we look forward to the unique contributions and perspectives you will bring to Lakas-CMD to help the Marcos administration champion people’s interests,” the Leyte representative said.

He added: “Your commitment to serving the Filipino people will play a major role in the continued success of Lakas-CMD and positively impact our constituents nationwide. We will support and take care of you, and please do not hesitate to reach out to the party leadership.”

On Monday evening, VP Duterte was caught in a video walking past Romualdez at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to shake the hands of an official who was part of the Philippine delegation, along with the Speaker.

The Vice President welcomed the Philippine delegation that joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his three-leg trip to the United States last week.

“Oh, Hindi ko nakita… Hindi ko nakita yung nasa social media. Di ako maka comment… Wala ako nakita,” VP Duterte quipped in Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday when asked about the supposed snubbing incident.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

LIKE A WOUNDED BUT PROUD WARRIOR, the erstwhile ruling party PDP-Laban refuses to throw in the towel.

Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Chaves Alvarez has expressed confidence that the PDP-Laban, which was “hijacked” by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from the leadership of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, will survive “any weather amid the country’s “changing political landscape.”

Alvarez is currently president of the PDP-Laban party, Duterte wing.

“PDP Laban will weather any storm as it has done in the past 41 years. And it will continue to support endeavors for the good of the country,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez’s remarks were posted on the PDP-Laban’s Facebook page.

Senator Robinhood Padilla, who ironically resigned as PDP-Laban Vice President last May 30, also shared the same post.

Earlier, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel attributed the “political exodus” to the recent conflict between FPRD, VP Sara Duterte, and the House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The feisty former president had called the House of Representatives “the most rotten institution” even though he was once a member representing Davao City’s 1st District, from June 30, 1998, to June 30, 2001.

Pimentel also hinted at the possibility of leaving Duterte’s party.

“We expect in the coming weeks more members will transfer to other parties,” the Surigaonon lawmaker added.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

ONCE KNOWN AS THE “HIGH AND MIGHTY” PDP-Laban — the political party that was snatched by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from the leadership of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel — now looks like a sinking ship that is sinking fast as more members are moving on to the new ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

This was leaked on Tuesday as few remaining stalwarts lamented that from a high of 120 lawmakers during the term of FPRRD, the PDP-Laban is now down to just 13 congressmen.

“As of now, there are only 13 members left in PDP. Seven members took their oath with Lakas and seven (7) members last Friday transferred to Partido Federal,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel sadly revealed.

He attributed the “political exodus” to the recent conflict between the Dutertes and the House leadership.

The feisty former president had called the House of Representatives as “the most rotten institution” notwithstanding the fact that he was once a member representing Davao City’s 1st District, from June 30, 1998 to June 30, 2001.

Enraged by FPRRD’s verbal attack, congressmen crossed party lines and reaffirmed their support to Romualdez’s leadership.

Even Pampanga Rep.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is widely known as political mentor of Vice President Sara Duterte, expressed her support for Romualdez and did not put so much weight on the stripping of her post as Deputy House Speaker.

FPGMA explained that she was abroad that’s why she failed to sign the resolution supporting Romualdez.

“We expect in the coming weeks more members will transfer to other parties,” the Surigaonon lawmaker added.

He also hinted that he could leave Duterte’s party.

“Yes, in due time. I’m still waiting for developments. I will be making my decision before recess of Congress,” Pimentel said.

(ai/mnm)