LINGAYEN—Second district Rep. Victor Agbayani, one of the sponsors of a proposed law that will re-distribute towns and cities as well as create an additional district, has stood up for House Bill 4267 saying it is for the good of the province.

The proposal, which is being opposed by board members, will provide better representation and more development, said Agbayani who served three terms as governor of Pangasinan.

He also pointed out that with the province’s 2.6 million population, it should actually have as many as 10 districts given that the Constitution provides for representation for every 250,000 inhabitants.

“It is regretable that politics may again be an obstacle to development,” Agbayani said a text message to The PUNCH.

Meanwhile, 2nd District Board Member Von Mark Mendoza, principal author of the provincial board resolution opposing the bill, said the proposal does not reflect the true will and best interest of the people of Pangasinan but more it’s likely a tactical maneuver to suit political ends.

He noted that the redistricting created is not in consonance with the provision of the Constitution under paragraph (3), Section 5, Article VI, which states “Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact and adjacent territory”.

Mendoza also said that “it is very surprising that such bill was filed and passed so surreptitiously that the local leaders in the province did not notice it, although the distinguished co-sponsors are the duly elected representatives of the people, they should have at least informed or consulted provincial and municipal officials on the matter because it affects their constituency.”

HB 4267 has been approved on third and final reading in the House of Representatives and it is now pending at the Committee on Local Government in the Senate chaired by Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

Agbayani, however, countered, saying, “He (Mendoza) is speaking as if the bill has been signed into law already. Consultations will continue. Senate will hear all sides. No such thing as passed surreptitiously. Process was public,” Agbayani said.

“Why is he afraid of development? Maybe he is the one with personal motives,” he added.

For his part, 6th District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. said the bill is misleading because it seeks to reapportion the province into seven districts but the subject is only limited into three congressional districts only, namely first, second and third districts while the fourth, fifth and sixth districts will remain intact.

“If this is approved, it will dilute the configuration in the present Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” Bince said. He said there is a law that mandates a maximum of 12 board members in a province.

He said that it will reduce the financial assistance of the provincial government to its district through the board members.

“With due respect to Representatives Agbayani and Arenas who are now in their first term only in Congress…is it my suspicion that if they run for re-election, given the present configuration, they will have difficulty in winning?,” Bince said.

“This is like the MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) between MILF and the government of the Philippines where its preparation and almost signing was kept in secret and it has to boomerang afterwards. Is this what is going to happen to this house bill?,” Bince said.#

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