Iloilo lawmakers, guv slam 'redistricting' proposal
Extremely difficult. This was how third district Rep. Arthur Defensor Sr. perceived the proposed redistricting of Iloilo province as pushed by first district Board Member Richard Garin.
Defensor in an interview with Aksyon Radyo Iloilo Monday night said there's no need to disturb the present status of the province.
He said the reapportioning of the present legislative districts would affect the political landscape of the province. "I'm sure the congressmen will not allow it," Defensor said.
Fourth district congressman Ferjenel Biron echoed the same perception saying there's no urgency for the redistricting of the province at this time.
"The initiative should come from the congressmen and the people have to be consulted first," Biron cited.
Fifth district Board Member Niel "Jun-jun" Tupas Jr. also laughed off Garin's proposal. He said politics could be behind the move.
Tupas Jr. hinted that if the move becomes successful there would be politicians who could benefit politically. He cited that in the proposed reapportioning the first district remains in tact, while the fifth district, which they consider as their political bailiwick, is made to scatter.
However, Tupas Jr. confidently said that the proposal will not be taken seriously by Congress.
Garin in last Monday's special session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution requesting Congress to reapportion the legislative districts of Iloilo thus a 6th District if approved.
"The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) as the highest legislative branch of the Province of Iloilo, sees the necessity to reapportion the legislative districts in the province in order to meet the demands caused by the increasing population and ever changing needs of our constituents," Garin said.
As proposed, the 6th District will be comprised of Balasan, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, San Dionisio and Sara.
And with the reapportionment comes the exclusion of Zarraga from the Second District and moved to the Fourth District. Third District will see the exclusion of Pototan and moved as well to the Fourth District. The Fourth District will then have the addition of Zarraga and Pototan alongside the exclusion of Passi City, Banate and San Enrique here. Fifth District on the other hand will have all three – Passi City, Banate and San Enrique – with the excluded towns comprising the 6th District.
The SP unanimously approved Garin's resolution.
Vice Governor Rolex Suplico for his part sees logic in Garin's proposal. "Iloilo is a growing province so the need of its people should be addressed," he said.
Suplico also denied that the move was designed for his political plan in 2010 as he could run for congressman of the new district thus avoiding a fierce political battle with his first cousin Board Member Tupas.
"I did not even know about this proposal until it was brought to my attention by Board Member Garin during our pre-session," Suplico said.
For his part, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. said that he is not in favor of the move to reapportion the legislative districts of the province.
He said the proposal is not beneficial to the people of the province as it is just made for the purposes of political accommodation.
Tupas suspects his nephew Vice Gov. Suplico is behind the move.
"It will not reach first base," the governor said.