Mandaue to still vote for 6th District

CEBU, Philippines — The voters of the lone legislative district of Mandaue City shall continue to vote for members of the Provincial Board in the 6th District along with the municipalities of Consolacion and Cordova.

This is stipulated under Section 6 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11257 which constitutes the city as a lone legislative district separate from the 6th District of the Province of Cebu.

The Commission on Elections promulgated Resolution No. 10546 on July 3, 2019 embodying the said IRR as mandated by RA 11257.

The resolution was signed by Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and commissioners Al Parreño, Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Marlon Casquejo, Socorro Inting, and Antonio Kho Jr.

Pursuant to Section 3 of the IRR, incumbent 6th District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano Dizon shall continue to represent the district until the noon of June 30, 2022.

PB Member Jovito Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano said that he will seek reelection in the 6th District in the 2022 elections while his sister, Emmarie, will seek reelection in the lone district of Mandaue City.

The first regular elections in the new 6th District comprised of the municipalities of Consolacion and Cordova, and the lone district of Mandaue City shall be held in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of RA 11257.

There shall be a district representative for both the 6th District and the lone district of Mandaue City.

Further, the number of elective members of the Mandaue City Council shall be increased from 10 to 12.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved on April 5, 2019 RA 11257 which was principally authored by then 6th District congressman, now Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Cortes said the passage and signing of the law is a victory for Mandaue and the entire Cebu because it means Cebu will have additional representation in the Lower House.

Cortes said Mandaue has been qualified to be a lone district since 1992 but efforts to make it so at the time failed.

Mandaue City, dubbed as Cebu’s “industrial heartland,” has a population of 365,144 based on the 2015 census.

The Constitution provides that a locality with at least 250,000 residents should have one representative in Congress. (FREEMAN)