First published: 12:13 p.m., May 10, 2017Five lawmakers of the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party, along with five others from various parties, have jumped shipped to the administration party, the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). The addition of 10 new members increased the hold of PDP-Laban to 121 in the 292-seat chamber, Alvarez told reporters after the oath-taking. Alvarez said the burgeoning number of PDP-Laban members only meant that there was increasing support for President Rodrigo Duterte despite the two impeachment complaints lodged against him. The PDP-Laban, from mere three members during the 16th Congress, swelled in number to over 90 members in the 292-strong chamber. The administration party PDP-Laban is in a supermajority coalition with other political parties such as the Liberal Party, the Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, and the party-list bloc.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 10, 2017 09:11 UTC