Cartagena cites legal, economic reasons in opposing redistricting bill
Politics was not in the mind of Atty. Dan Cartagena when he opposed the plan to divide Iloilo City into two districts.
Cartagena said he registered his opposition to the redistricting bill based on two grounds: the legal impediment and its economic impact.
Cartagena stressed that the redistricting bill does not meet the population requirement set by the 1987 Constitution for the creation of a legislative district.
The Constitution sets a minimum population of 250,000 for a legislative district to be created. Cartagena said, in the case of Iloilo City latest census from the National Statistics Office showed that the total population is 418,710.
Meaning, Cartagena said, the city's population could not qualify to be divided into two legislative districts.
Cartagena also noted that not a single public hearing was held here in Iloilo City prior to the filing of the redistricting bill by Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. “The people of the city has to be consulted with such an important measure,” Cartagena said.
On the economic side, Cartagena said creating a new legislative district would mean additional expenses for the government which in turn would be assumed by the people.
Cartagena elaborated that every congressman is receiving an allowance of 250,000 per month, on top of their salaries and the Countrywide Development Fund or pork barrel.
“Where will the government get the money for the allowances, salaries, etc. of additional congressmen?” Cartagena asked citing that the government is currently experiencing budget deficit.
Consequently, Cartagena said, it would mean additional burden on the people as the government will impose additional taxes in order to have money to spend for the additional lawmakers.
Cartagena stressed that he is opposing the redistricting bill “not because of my own benefit but because it is in violation of the Constitution.”
“If redistricting of Iloilo City will be allowed despite the legal impediment, who will prevent other places with less than 250,000 population from also pushing for the creation new legislative district? I'm afraid we will have more than 500 congressmen,” Cartagena said.