Thursday, July 26, 2007 Cebu lawmakers file eco-zone bill
THEY were split in the elections but remain one in working for Cebu.
The day after the emotional speakership elections in the House, Cebu’s congressmen did not make their clashing stand in the way of their signing as co-authors of Rep. Raul del Mar in the proposed bill to make Cebu province, including the islands of Bantayan and Camotes, an economic development zone.
That same day, the House also approved on first reading a similar bill filed by Rep. Eduardo Gullas (first district).
Gullas’ bill was referred to the committee on economic affairs, the committee on trade and industry, the committee on ways and means and the committee on appropriations. Referred to as House Bill (HB) 14, Gullas’ bill will also create the Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority.
The difference between HB 14 and the one that the other congressmen will file is the membership of the authority to be created.
The one Gullas filed does not include the governor as member, while Del Mar’s bill includes the governor.
But the bills have the same purpose—to make the whole Cebu province friendly to investors by making all municipalities, including three-town island of Bantayan and the four-town Camotes group of islands, as economic zone.
Sun.Star Cebu sent messages and called Gullas several times on the matter but did not get a response. Del Mar, meanwhile, was approached during a lull in the session at Congress but repeatedly refused to be interviewed on any issue, including his election as deputy speaker.
Alongside Ramon Durano VI (fifth district), Del Mar and Gullas voted for Rep. Jose De Venecia Jr., who was nominated by fellow Cebuano Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City south district).
Correction
The Cebu congressmen signed to push the proposed bill for Cebu’s declaration as economic zone even as debates dragged on about the manner the House speaker was chosen. The subject ruled the discussions in Congress last Tuesday and even last night, when Rep. Pablo “Pabling” Garcia delivered a privilege speech.
Yesterday, Pabling’s group also made a manifestation so a correction could be made on the House journal that reflected Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, sixth district) as voting for De Venecia.
Ruiz is supporting Garcia and even planned to nominate the former Cebu governor.
The journal also reflected that Pabling’s son, Rep. Pablo John Garcia of the third district, abstained from voting. Pablo John said he did not participate in the proceedings so he could not have abstained.
There were also other congressmen allied with Garcia’s group but the journal reflected they voted for De Venecia.
The journal, however, may have just reflected the chaos that happened last Monday because it is not only Pabling’s group that complained.
There were also several congressmen who asked that the journal be changed to reflect that they voted for De Venecia.
Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin had commented that if his colleagues want their votes changed, “let them do so in their hearts.”
Asking to correct the journal might make it appear that votes were changed even after the elections.
“Let the journal reflect what happened. If the journal is chaotic, so be it,” said Locsin.
It was indeed a chaotic elections for speaker last Monday, where De Venecia was given a fifth term as speaker. (JPM)
