By Charissa Luci-Atienza THE Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) political party on Sunday, March 8 said it is one with the Chinese government and other countries hit by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in their fight to help contain the spread of the virus. House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, president of the Lakas-CMD party, issued the statement, as China said it has taken the “utmost” effort in combating the epidemic as reported by the Xinhua News Agency. "The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) political party expresses its solidarity with the Chinese people and its government as they lead efforts to contain the global spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19)," Romualdez said in a statement. Reports said China has been donating medical supplies as well as sharing information and experience to countries affected by the virus. "Lakas-CMD supports all international efforts by health experts aimed at advancing the work on the prevention and control in the transmission of COVID-19 and accelerating international response essential to contain the spread of the dreaded virus and any future outbreaks," Romualdez said. He said their party, which is behind the election of former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, "firmly believes on Chinese people’s proven resiliency." "The party lauds the Chinese government for acting swiftly and decisively in defeating this global health emergency as soon as possible to minimize economic and social fallout," the House leader said. Xinhua News Agency, Communist Party's mouthpiece, described as a "political virus" claims that the novel coronavirus originated in China, which "smears the Chinese people." Xinhua, quoting specialists, said though the epidemic was first reported in China, "it does not mean it necessarily originated in China." Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), it said COVID-19 is a global phenomenon with its source still undetermined." "The party members are exerting all efforts to stop the “hate campaign” against Chinese people who have flown to other countries, including the Philippines," Romualdez said. "Lakas-CMD wishes to remind Filipinos to make themselves a potent tool in containing the undue panic by providing only true and accurate information, free of any hatred against the Chinese people," he added. The House leader said the party members cited the need to work "for the common good of everyone by praying for good health and immediate recovery of those who have been afflicted by the virus." "In these challenging times, the Lakas-CMD is united with China and other COVID-19-hit countries in our common goal to curb the spread of the deadly virus. Together, we shall recover from this setback," Romualdez said. Earlier, the Chinese government vowed to strengthen international and regional cooperation to fight COVID-19, which has affected over 91 countries.