Provincial Board urges PNoy: Approve Cebu’s seventh district

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu Provincial Board is asking President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to sign into law House Bill 4427, which seeks to split Cebu’s second district to create a seventh legislative district.

The board said the President’s action on the bill will ensure the inclusion of additional positions in the May 2016 elections.

The matter is also urgent considering that the filing of Certificate of Candidacy for elective positions is scheduled next month from October 12 to 16.

Once signed into law, three additional elective positions would be created – one in the House of Representatives and two in the Provincial Board.

“There is barely a month before the date by the Commission on Elections for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy for all elective set… The Province of Cebu, particularly the constituents of the second legislative district, will greatly benefit if the House Bill No. 4427 shall be passed into law,” reads the resolution sponsored by Board Member Christopher Baricuatro.

The Lower House and the Senate passed the bill on May 26 and July 28 this year, respectively. The bill, in its enrolled form, was transmitted to the Office of the President last August 28.

Under the legislative process, a bill automatically becomes a law if the President does not sign it within 30 days from receipt of his office. He could also veto it. But a bill may still become a law if Congress overrides a presidential veto by two-thirds vote in each Chamber.

Baricuatro said Aquino who was in Cebu last week to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting confirmed receipt of the bill, but the President has yet to act on it.

Baricuatro currently represents the second district at the PB. He signified his bid to run for board member again in 2016, this time, in the seventh district if the bill is approved.

 The second district, the biggest in Cebu, is composed of 15 municipalities – more than a third of the 44 municipalities in the province. It has the most number of barangays at 284.

 Once the bill is approved, the seventh legislative district will be composed of the municipalities of Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc and Ginatilan.

 The municipalities of Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander and Samboan will continue to comprise the second district.  (FREEMAN)