Nograles defends creation of new Camarines Sur district

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday defended the decision of Congress to create a new legislative district in Camarines Sur.

He said there is nothing “unusual or even unconstitutional” because it is part of Congress’ legislative mandate.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Naga Mayor Jessie Robredo have filed a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the creation of a new legislative district in Camarines Sur.

Republic Act 9716, an Act Reapportioning the Composition of the First and Second Legislative District in the Province of Camarines Sur, originated from House Bill 4264 filed by 2nd District Rep. Luis Villafuerte.

It was approved on Oct. 12 and published on Oct. 15. It becomes effective after 15 days.

Under the new law, the first district towns of Libmanan, Minabalac, Pamplona, Pasacao and San Fernando in the first were consolidated with the second district towns of Gainza and Milaor to create a new legislative turf.

Prior to the creation of the new law, the first district was composed of the towns of Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Cabusao, Libmanan, Minabalac, Pamplona, Pasacao and San Fernando, with a population of 417,300 in 2007. The remaining towns will remain as the first district.

The second district was composed of the towns of Gainza, Milaor, Pili, Ocampo, Camaligan, Canaman, Magarao, Bombon, Calabanga and Naga with a population of 474,899 in 2007. The remaining towns will be designated as the third district.

Aquino and Robredo argued that the split districts would not have the popultion requirement mandated by the Constitution.

Presidential son Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo represents the first district. It was the former bailiwik of Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, who represented it for nine years before he joined President Arroyo’s Cabinet.

Dato, who is on his first term, is from Pampanga, but has moved to Libmanan town, where he has built a house. His elder brother Juan Miguel represents Pampanga’s second district.

There are speculations that Secretary Andaya might reclaim his district in 2010 or 2013.

Nograles said it was unfair for administration critics to claim that the new district was created to accommodate the President’s son.

“How can this be an accommodation for Dato? He was already a congressman before this redistricting measure was filed in Congress,” he said.

He said Aquino should not have questioned the law creating the new district because the Senate and the House had approved it and the President signed it.