The membership of the once-ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, formerly chaired by ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, has been steadily decreasing as its members defect to the Speaker Martin Romualdez-led Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats.
At least three lawmakers left the PDP-Laban on Tuesday and transferred to Lakas-CMD, with Romualdez himself administering the oath in his office.
Masbate Reps. Richard Kho, Olga Kho and Wilton Kho were the latest to join Lakas-CMD, bringing the total number of the party's members in the House to 89.
The Romualdez-led faction also welcomed 17 town mayors and a municipal vice mayor from different political parties, including PDP-Laban.
"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 said.
Last week, ex-PDP-Laban lawmakers Rosemarie Conejos Panotes, Dale Corvera and Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy also took their oath as Lakas-CMD members before Romualdez.
PDP-Laban members have now dwindled to eight, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, the party's vice president for Mindanao, confirmed to DAILY TRIBUNE in a text message.
He disclosed that of the eight left, three more members are planning to leave.
"The members of the PDP in the House can not anymore reconcile their duties as member of Congress vis a vis their duties as members of the party PDP [because] it seems the party is going in another direction," Pimentel told this paper.
Pimentel also departed from the party on 16 November.
Romualdez has been a subject of the former president's tirades over the decision of the House to strip P650 million in confidential funds sought by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, with whom the Speaker had shared the leadership of Lakas-CMD.
The House channeled the funds to security agencies handling national security concerns, primarily regarding the West Philippine Sea, amid China's persistent encroachments.
The realignment of the budget enraged the senior Duterte, who slammed Congress and called it the "most rotten" institution in the country, accusing it of having "hidden" pork barrel funds.
Back in May, the VP, who served as the chairperson of Lakas-CMD resigned from the party following the demotion of ex- president and now Pampanga lawmaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a close ally of the Dutertes, from her senior deputy speaker post. The demotion came following rumors of a "coup" plot against Romualdez.
On 6 November, senior deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales, who replaced Arroyo, resigned from his national treasurer post in the PDP-Laban in the wake of the senior Duterte's attacks
On the same day, the House passed a resolution upholding the integrity and honor of the House and expressing appreciation for and solidarity with Romualdez's leadership.
The House chief said he has not severed ties with the Dutertes despite enduring verbal attacks from the ex-president.
