Gonzalez still hopeful on city's redistricting
With barely nine months before the 2010 elections, the proposed bill on the reapportioning of Iloilo City into two districts is still pending before the Senate. Chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez, Sr., who has declared his intention to run for mayor of Iloilo City next year, is still hoping for the passage of the measure.
Gonzalez said a senator, whom he did not name, is asking them to wait until September for the Senate’s decision on the proposed bill.
The proposed bill reapportioning the city is sponsored by Gonzalez's son Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. The lower house version of the proposed bill passed without pains.
In the proposed bill, there are two congressional districts, which follows that there will be two congressmen but one mayor. There would be additional members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod from eight to 16 members.
The first the congressional district will cover the districts of Mandurriao, Jaro, La Paz and Lapuz. The districts of City Proper, Molo and Arevalo cover the second congressional district.
The Senate, however, did not consider the bill as a priority. The bill is still pending though several senators assured their vote for its approval. No less than Senator Noynoy Aquino, chair of the committee on legal matters, professed his strong objection to Gonzalez’s proposed bill.
Gonzalez said they have to face the music if ever the Senate still puts on hold its approval. Nevertheless, he has still to discuss the matter with the mayor considering the fate of the proposed redistricting bill.
Both, Gonzalez and Treñas belong to the Lakas-CMD party. The younger Gonzalez has still another term to complete his three terms as congressman. While, Treñas will end his third mayoral term. Should Treñas decide to run for congressman, he will be the younger Gonzalez’s tough rival comes 2010 elections.
In media interviews, the mayor has yet to make public his political plans for next year.