Long-pending Navotas cityhood bill lapses into law

House Bill 5500, an act aimed at converting the municipality of Navotas into a highly urbanized city, lapsed into law yesterday after the 30-day period given the President to act on the bill had expired.

"Under the law, a bill sent to Malacañang for the President’s signature, whether the President acts on it or not, after 30 days it automatically becomes a law," Rep. Ricky Sandoval, the author of the bill, said.

Sandoval, on his last term as Malabon-Navotas representative, said the local government would have 15 days to publish the law on major dailies and after that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would set a date for a plebiscite.

The congressman explained that before the town of Navotas could be fully converted into a city, the residents must first ratify the law through a referendum.

"I hope that the Comelec could set the plebiscite before the May elections," Sandoval said.

On Aug. 7, 2006, the lower House approved HB 5500 on third reading. The Senate approved it on Oct. 12, and was only sent to Malacañang for the President’s approval last Feb. 7.

President Arroyo, however, failed to act on the bill until it automatically became a law yesterday when the 30-day period given her to either sign the bill into law or veto it lapsed.

Sandoval just shrugged off accusations from Mayor Toby Tiangco, who accuses him of intentionally causing the delay in the approval of the Navotas cityhood bill to advance his own political interests.

"The League of the Cities of the Philippines is lobbying the President not to approve at least 17 cityhood applications at Malacañang. And Navotas is included, but I’m thankful that the President did not veto our application," Sandoval said.

He said that once the 17 cityhood applications are approved, the League of the Cities’ fund would be reduced by about P3 billion, which the organization needs to allocate to its new members.

Sandoval said arguing with Tiangco on what caused the delay of Navotas’ cityhood proposal is now "moot and academic" for he has already done his part.

Sandoval confirmed to The STAR yesterday that he will run for mayor of Navotas with Daniel Bautista, son of former Mayor Efren Bautista, as his vice mayor and will have his younger brother Alvin Sandoval, 40, a pilot and a marine engineer, to take his place as Malabon-Navotas representative. – Pete Laude