GMA approves new House district for Dato

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has approved three laws adding one more congressional district to the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, and separating Lapu-Lapu City from Cebu province to become a lone legislative district.

Camarines Sur first district Rep. Diosdado Ignacio Arroyo will allegedly benefit from the creation of the new congressional district.

Under Republic Act 9716, the municipalities of Libmanan, Manabalac, Pamplona, Pasacao and San Fernando in the first district of Camarines Sur are consolidated with the municipalities of Gainza and Milaor in the second district to comprise a new district.  

The municipalities of Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot and Cabusao shall continue to be designated as the first legislative district.

The second district shall become the third district composed of Naga City and the municipalities of Pili, Ocampo, Camaigan, Magarao, Bombon and Calatianga.

The new fourth district shall comprise the towns of Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Sangay, San Jose, Tigaon, Tinambac, and Siruma.

The fifth district shall be composed of Iriga City, Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula and Nabua.

RA 9716 was approved on Oct. 12 but was published on Oct. 15. It is set to take effect 15 days after publication.

Under RA 9725, the municipalities of Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Paracale, and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte shall comprise the first district.

Comprising the second district are the towns of Basud, Daet, Mercedes, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Talisay, and Vinzons.

Under RA 9726, Lapu-Lapu City was separated from the sixth district of Cebu province to constitute a lone congressional district.

The incumbent congressional representative of the sixth district of Cebu shall continue to represent the district covering Lapu-Lapu City until a representative shall have been elected and qualified for the lone congressional district, according to the law.

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond Villafuerte said he is awaiting Sen. Benigno Aquino III’s move to question before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of RA 9716.

“It really fails the constitutional requirement on population,” he said.

He is ready to support the legal battle to be initiated by Aquino, Villafuerte said.

Aquino, committee on local government chairman, has been vocal against the creation of the new district allegedly for Rep. Arroyo.

The first district of Camarines Sur used to be represented by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya in Congress.

Andaya is reportedly eyeing a comeback.

During plenary debates at the Senate, Aquino pointed out that the new district does not meet the 250,000 population requirement under the Constitution. — Christina Mendez