SC urged: Allow HUC plebiscite of Cabanatuan

MANILA, Philippines - A bishop is urging the Supreme Court (SC) to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to proceed with the plebiscite for the conversion of Cabanatuan City into a highly urbanized city (HUC).

Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud appealed to the SC to immediately resolve the petition questioning the plebiscite that would make the city politically and economically independent from Nueva Ecija province.

In a pastoral letter, Bancud said the HUC issue has been divisive, and the only way to resolve it is to allow the plebiscite to push through immediately so that the true sentiments of the people can be heard.

“Our position is clear: we believe that the plebiscite is the fitting and rightful venue for the people of Cabanatuan to be heard... Enough has been said about this HUC bid of the City of Cabanatuan,” he said.

“In fact, almost four years have already passed since this bid was introduced by the current city government. Or if we go back to the first time it was proposed in 1997, that means a lot of time has elapsed. Therefore, all we ask is for the plebiscite to proceed,” he added.  

Bancud lamented how rhetorics from pro- and anti-HUC groups have even resulted in personal attacks and violent reactions.

Earlier this month, the SC, acting on a petition of Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Comelec from conducting the plebiscite that was supposed to be held last Saturday. The plebiscite, according to observers, would pose a problem for the Umalis because Cabanatuan City – the largest city in Nueva Ecija – is one of their bailiwicks. Cabanatuan is led by Mayor Julius Vergara.

According to Section 452 of the Local Government Code, a city can be given HUC status if it has a minimum population of 200,000, as certified by the National Statistics Office, and an annual income of P50 million, based on 1991 constant prices.

Cabanatuan had a population of 259,267 in 2007, and an annual income of P734.73 million in 2010.  

President Aquino granted HUC status to Cabanatuan on July 4, 2012, subject to a plebiscite 120 days after the proclamation date.