More than a month since it was passed, President Benigno Aquino III has not signed into law legislation for the creation of Cebu’s 7th district.
Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., sponsor of the bill’s Senate version, said that even with Aquino’s inaction, the bill would automatically lapse into law 30 days after a copy is sent to Malacañang for the President’s signature.
Marcos said he was confident that Cebuanos would be able to pick their southwest district representative in the May 2016 election.
“I have no idea what the President is thinking. In Congress we have done our part. We (still) have to wait for the President’s action or non-action,” he said.
Marcos was in Cebu yesterday to brief students of the University of Cebu Banilad Campus on his draft bill which he is proposing as an alternative to the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
House Bill No. 4427 which creates the 7th Legislative District of the province, was passed by Congress on July 28.
Its House version was sponsored by Cebu Reps. Wilfredo Caminero (2nd District), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District), Aileen Radaza (Lapu-Lapu City Lone District) and Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd District).
“I must say that I’m a little surprised why he (President Aquino) hasn’t signed it already but of course that is his prerogative,” said Marcos.
“I do not know what his reasons could possibly be or, maybe, you should ask him. I would be very interested to know why he hasn’t signed it yet,” he said.
The new Cebu 7th district will be made up of eight southwest Cebu towns: Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc and Ginatilan.
These eight towns were earlier part of the Cebu’s second district.
The second district will be left with seven towns mostly in the eastern coast.
These are Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander and Samboan.
The 7th district will be represented by one congressman to be elected in the 2016 elections polls.
According to Representative Caminero, in a recent CDN report, the creation of the new district will benefit the eight towns under it.
Caminero said he expects more projects to pour into the district, which has a population of 200,092 based on the 2010 census.