Four lawmakers from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on Wednesday took their oath as new members of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Deputy Speaker and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali ‘Boyet” Gonzales II; Deputy Speaker and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez; and La Union Rep. Sandra Eriguel, chairperson of the House Committee on Social Services, took their oath as new members of the party before NUP president and Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. in a ceremony held at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rolando Uy followed and was sworn as NUP member by Secretary-General and Masbate Rep. Narciso Bravo Jr.

The additional members further raised the party’s number to 61 with district seats to 49 and 12 party-list affiliates in the House of Representatives.

Barzaga said the NUP has always been aligned with the Duterte administration, noting that the growing number of NUP members in the chamber would mean better coordination in passing the priority measures of the President.

“We have several problems right now, among them, the Taal volcano eruption and the spread of novel coronavirus. It would be easier to pass the priority legislation of President Duterte on these concerns if we have the numbers in Congress,” Barzaga said.

Gonzales said in his long stay in the House, he has seen political parties come and go, but NUP has stayed strong regardless of the election results and the change in administration,

“More importantly, we’d like to be at home and we consider the NUP as our true home in Congress na nakakatulong sa ating bansa (that has helped our country),” Gonzales said.

Fernandez said he joined the NUP “to help pursue the President’s legislative agenda in the House, and because of his close personal ties to its members”. (PNA)