By Mortz C. Ortigoza
Last July 29, I diligently observed the public consultation
undertaken by the Sanguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) on the implication
of redistricting or legislative apportionment in Pangasinan.
Many spectators were there, including many, as usual son of a gun, board members who did not make their homework.
Many spectators were there, including many, as usual son of a gun, board members who did not make their homework.
These assignments should be reading the two pages
annotation of the Philippine Constitution by Lawyer Hector de Leon on
apportionment vis-a-vis Section 5 (4) of Article VI.
To cut short my verbiage: Adding two more congressional districts in the humongous province Pangasinan has more advantages.
To cut short my verbiage: Adding two more congressional districts in the humongous province Pangasinan has more advantages.
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| Philippines Congress |
First, two legislative district means P70 million each from the Priority Development Allocation Fund or the controversial “Pork Barrel” or P140 million for Pangasinan from both of them; Second, striking out the more than 200 thousand populated city of San Carlos in the present aggrupation of towns like Bayambang, Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mapandan, and San Barbara in the Third Congressional District means Representative Baby Arenas’ PDAF can benefit more of her constituents in terms of school buildings, roads, books, scholarships.
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That’s why I ribbed a resource person, a distinguished member of the BAR who sported a coat & tie after I bumped into him at the ground floor of the stately American era provincial Capitol.
