MORE LP’S TO DEFECT TO DUTERTE CAMP

PDP-Laban’s vice chair said the party’s membership in Congress have swelled to around 60

TEN more members of the Liberal Party (LP) in the House of Representatives have decided to join the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

The latest batch of lawmakers who joined the oath taking rites for new PDP-Laban members held in Makati City on Thursday include Representatives Jerry Treñas (Iloilo), Reynaldo Umali (Mindoro Oriental), Cesar Sarmien- to (Catanduanes).

Treñas chairs the LP's membership and organizing panel, while Umali and Sarmiento head the transportation and energy committees in the House of Representatives.

Umali is a brother of Mindoro Oriental Governor Alfonso Umali, treasurer of the LP, which is headed by outgoing President Benigno Aquino III.

Among the new batch of LP members who shifted their allegiance to the PDP-Laban were Repre-

Incoming Davao del Norte representative Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP-Laban secretary general and Duterte’s bet for House Speaker, led the oath taking ceremonies

sentatives Lucy Torres-Gomez (Leyte), Zajid Mangudadatu (Maguindanao), Deogracias Ramos Jr. (Sorsogon), Ma. Lucille Nava (Guimaras), Glona Labadlabad (Zamboanga del Norte), Jesus Sacdalan (North Cotabato) and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (Bulacan).

Incoming Davao del Norte representative Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP-Laban secretary general and Duterte's bet for House Speaker, led the oath taking ceremonies held at the Dusit Thani Hotel.

Bigger

Alvarez said he expects their rank to grow bigger in the coming days.

"I think we'll be hitting (a membership) of around 80 or 100,” he said.

Incoming Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, PDPLaban vice chair, said the party's membership in the House of Representatives have swelled to around 60 lawmakers from the original three, including Alvarez.

Last week five district representatives also took their oath before Alvarez as new members of the PDP-Laban.

Meanwhile, Alvarez said that he is currently in talks with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on the possibility of him joining the majority bloc.

"Yes we're considering that (of including Speaker Belmonte in the majority bloc)… that's always an option for Speaker Belmonte and I would welcome kung ano man ang maging decision nya," said Alvarez

Alvarez said Belmonte could keep his membership with LP if he wants to join the majority bloc. (Sunnex)