Monday, May 05, 2008 Nalzaro: Congress is not a franchise By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
WHEN there was that move by three former Cebu congressmen to create three additional provinces within Cebu Province, some provincial officials and majority of the Cebuanos strongly opposed the move. They termed it “Sugbuak.” The proponents wanted to divide Cebu Province into four provinces because the province is too big to handle and to speed up delivery of basic services.
The proponents also felt that areas under their congressional districts were always left out in distribution of projects as the seat of the provincial power is in Cebu City. The three proponents—former representatives Antonio Yapha (third district), Simeon Kintanar (second district) and Clavel Asas-Martinez (fourth district)–were accused of trying to establish their political empires when they sponsored the measures because they wanted to run for governor in their newly created provinces. The three representatives initiated the move for personal and political motives, the oppositors claimed.
But the move fizzled out because the proponents were no longer eligible for reelection. Their successors didn’t take the cudgel for them for obvious political reason. The incumbent representatives in the three districts were not for it. “Sugbuak” is practically dead, unless the same proponents make a comeback in the coming elections and revive the measure.
But before the issue died, it triggered political noise here and in the House Committee on Local Government, which conducted the hearing. It also triggered the creation of a “United Cebu” party by those who strongly opposed the measure, headed by Gov. Gwen Garcia.
Now, here is a move by some Cebu congressmen to redistrict the province in view of the latest census released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), which showed that the province is entitled to more representation in the House of Representatives. But the move was also met by opposition by some congressmen for political and personal reason.
There is no comparison between “Sugbuak” and redistricting. “Sug-buak” is creating additional three provinces, while redistricting is adding more congressional districts based on the 250,000 population per district rule. We accused the proponents of the “Sugbuak” measure of doing it for personal and political motives. Can we also level the same accusation against incumbent congressmen who oppose the redistricting?
These congressmen are too selfish, and are looking out for their personal interest. Why don’t they want their district to be affected by the planned redistricting? Do they want to protect their own political turf? One congressman cannot move for redistricting without the coordination of another congressman because if his district is divided the spawned district may not meet the population requirement. The tendency is to get a town or towns from one district and lump it with another town from another district to meet the requirement.
Rep. Eduardo Gullas’ (first district) reaction to the plan was “over my dead body.” He said he is comfortable with his district and his constituents are satisfied with his performance. Rep. Red Durano (fifth district), for his part, feared that the move would put a strain on the Durano family’s relationship with political leaders that they have nurtured for several decades.
Does this mean our congressmen are franchise holders of their district?
