THIS article seemingly comes too early but there’s nothing better than looking forward. This item may be appropriate after the May elections but I feel the discussion should start now. It has an English saying, “The more the merrier.” The province of Pampanga deserves six congressional districts. When something can’t be found in a timeframe, it should come on another time.
Since our present Congressman Jonjon Lazatin and Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales are sure of reelection and the possibility of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives if Mayor Inday Sara Duterte gets elected as President, then we will win the ballgame, so to speak. As I said there’s nothing better in having an early plan, though it may be considered as a matter of importance to be discussed after the 2022 elections, or maybe now that the 18th congress started.
Then 3rd District Congressman Oscar Rodriguez filed a bill creating the lone congressional district the City of San Fernando and Congressmen Yeng Guiao sought in his bill the creation of the lone district of Angeles City. In the upper chamber, Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid filed a counterpart bill creating the lone congressional district of Angeles City.
In any case, there will be redistricting and there’s redistribution of towns in such districts. The second and fourth districts need careful consideration. As it is now, the fourth district has Macabebe, Masantol, Apalit, Minalin, San Simon, Sto Tomas and Candaba. Isn’t that strange? From the town of Sto. Tomas, you have to pass towns of the third congressional districts like San Fernando and Mexico before Candaba.
In the third congressional district, the town of Bacolor may have to be included in the second congressional district. If the City of San Fernando is stand-alone then the third district’s boundary may start in Mexico. I interviewed Congressman Lazatin and he said he is in favor of Angeles City as a lone district. Anyway, according to him, Mabalacat City and Magalang can qualify as separate districts based on the population of the two.
Ask local politicians the likes of Vice Mayor Vicky Vega and former Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and former Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, I am sure they will agree on the creation of a lone congressional district for Angeles City. As far as more than 10 years ago, the city was already qualified and met already all the requirements. At least for now, politicians in the first district, and that includes Mabalacat City and Magalang, are keenly watching what might happen in case Angeles City will get its desired status.
TWEETS: So predictable that Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte will run for a national position. Her running for president will ease out Bongbong Marcos. Expect the shift of loyalties... Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao should crunch numbers. Analysts are saying they don’t stand a chance against either Bongbong or Sara. Leni Robredo and Yorme Isko are still on the running... In the local scene, here are the sure winners: Mayor Pogi Lazatin and brother Jonjon, Governor Dennis Pineda and mom Nanay Baby, Dong Gonzales in the 3rd district, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the second and Ana York Bondoc in the fourth.