Luigi clarifies report: Mandaue as lone district never opposed

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Sixth District Representative Luigi Quisumbing has clarified that Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, Congressmen Pablo John Garcia, Benhur Salimbangon and Gwen Garcia did not oppose the move making Mandaue City a lone district.

“(They) did not oppose the creation of the lone district. They agreed with me that at the time a solution to the future of Consolacion and Cordova had to be found which I finally did,” said Quisumbing.

The first bill seeking to make Mandaue City a lone district was filed in 2011, but the Garcias and Salimbangon had opposed it because according to Quisumbing, they feared that Consolacion and Cordova would be alienated and left behind.

This time, Quisumbing said they have crafed a framework to address this specific issue was came out, making this proposal ready for the next Congress.

Last Saturday, Quisumbing told the media that the first job of the next congressman of the sixth district is to file the bill seeking to make Mandaue a lone district, pointing out that it is ready to be one.

As to the Consolacion and Cordova, he said they have already worked out a plan for them, so they will "not be abandoned just like that," and that everything is reportedly enshrined in the framework that the  “concerned parties” had come up with.

He said other towns in the nearby districts may be moved to the sixth to complete it.

He said the bill could be filed in his second term, but since election is nearing, he is afraid that it will not be approved by both congresses, which is already on a holiday break and will only resume session in mid-January next year.

He said that although he will not have a problem getting votes for it, the problem they will be facing is “time constraints.” (FREEMAN)