Senate committee backs Aklan redistricting bill

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Senate committee on local government strongly backed the Aklan redistricting bill authored by Aklan congressman Carlito Marquez. The bill seeks to reapportion the lone district of Aklan into two legislative districts.

PHOTO AKLAN FORUM JOURNAL

Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara held a committee hearing on August 1 with Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, Marquez and Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Immanuel Sodusta in attendance.

The Senate panel endorsement is a major step to getting the ‘long overdue’ Aklan redistricting bill enacted into law. With the Angara’s committee approval, the redistricting bill is expected to pass the Senate before going into recess by mid-October this year. 

Once the President signed the bill into law, the First Legislative District is comprised of first-class municipality of Kalibo and seven other towns in the eastern side of Aklan – Altavas, Balete, Batan, Libacao, Madalag, New Washington and Banga.

The Second Legislative District is composed of first-class town of Malay and the municipalities of Buruanga, Ibajay, Nabas, Malinao, Tangalan, Makato, Numancia and Lezo in the western side of Aklan.

The House of Representatives passed its version of redistricting bill - House Bill No.  7522 – on May 28, 2018 by a vote of 239 with no abstention.

The measure formerly filed by then Aklan congressmen Miraflores and Teodorico Haresco, Jr, aims to ensure equal representation for the people of Aklan in Congress.