THE total membership of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has increased to 66, with two more lawmakers from the House of Representatives joining the political party recently.Lakas-CMD president and House Speaker Martin Romualdez administered on Monday, August 15, the oath to Eastern Samar Representative Maria Fe R. Abunda and Calamba City Representative Charisse Anne C. Hernandez-Alcantara.The oath taking was held at the Social Hall of Romualdez’s office in the House of Representatives. It was witnessed by senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is also the party’s president emeritus.Also sworn in Monday as members of Lakas-CMD were Taft, Eastern Samar Mayor Gina Ty and former Guiuan, Eastern Samar mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales.“We are happy that two more colleagues of ours in the House have chosen to join us in Lakas-CMD. We look forward to having a fruitful and pleasant bonding and interaction with them and the rest of our members,” Romualdez said.With 66 lawmakers affiliated with it, Lakas-CMD is now the largest political group in the House of Representatives this 19th Congress.The affiliation of Representatives Abunda and Hernandez-Alcantara followed last month’s membership in the party of Representatives Isidro Ungab and Vincent Garcia of the third and second districts of Davao City, respectively; Alan Dujali of Davao del Norte’s second district; and Josefina Tallado of Camarines Norte’s first district.Lakas-CMD, an administration party, campaigned hard for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, who is the party’s chairperson. (LMY/PR)