The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the elections for district representatives of South Cotabato and Southern Leyte, which was initially scheduled for Oct. 26
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the polling body decided to suspend the elections in view of the Supreme Court resolution ordering Comelec to proclaim Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles as representative of South Cotabato 1st District, including General Santos City.
The SC likewise ordered the convening of a special provincial board of canvassers to proclaim the winning candidate.
The Comelec initially scheduled the special elections following the enactment of a law which calls for the reapportioning of the first legislative district of South Cotabato to create the lone district of General Santos City.
The poll body also decided to suspend the elections for the representatives in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte, Cotabato as the SC resolution in the Bañas-Nograles case could be applied in other similar cases.
Last February, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law dividing Southern Leyte into two legislative districts.
Should there be no decision from the High Court in the case of Southern Leyte, the elections will push through on Nov. 30.
“[This is] to avoid any prolonged vacuum in the Office of Representatives for the first and second districts,” Jimenez said in a statement.
He added that all activities including bidding and procurements and implementation of all Comelec resolutions in relation to the Oct. 26 elections have been suspended./ac
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1181417/comelec-suspends-congressional-polls-in-south-cotabato-southern-leyte
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Comelec suspends special polls in Southern Leyte, South Cotabato
The Commission on Elections has suspended the first regular elections for representatives of newly created districts in Southern Leyte and South Cotabato.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Thursday announced the special elections for representatives of the first and third districts of South Cotabato, and first and second districts of Southern Leyte will not push through on October 26.
This, after the Supreme Court directed the commission to proclaim Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles the winner in the May 13 congressional race for the first district of South Cotabato, including General Santos City.
The Supreme Court ruling voided the Comelec decision to suspend the election for the district and declare the congressional votes as “stray.”
The problem arose after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato and created a lone district for General Santos City.
Jimenez said the special elections in Southern Leyte will also be suspended as there is a similar case pending in the high court.
But if the Supreme Court will not release a decision on the said case, the special elections in Southern Leyte will proceed on November 30.
RA 11198, which divides Southern Leyte in two districts, took effect on February 19. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Thursday announced the special elections for representatives of the first and third districts of South Cotabato, and first and second districts of Southern Leyte will not push through on October 26.
This, after the Supreme Court directed the commission to proclaim Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles the winner in the May 13 congressional race for the first district of South Cotabato, including General Santos City.
The Supreme Court ruling voided the Comelec decision to suspend the election for the district and declare the congressional votes as “stray.”
The problem arose after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato and created a lone district for General Santos City.
Jimenez said the special elections in Southern Leyte will also be suspended as there is a similar case pending in the high court.
But if the Supreme Court will not release a decision on the said case, the special elections in Southern Leyte will proceed on November 30.
RA 11198, which divides Southern Leyte in two districts, took effect on February 19. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
Comelec suspends Oct. 26 polls in South Cotabato, Southern Leyte
By Leslie Ann Aquino
The first regular elections for the District Representatives of South Cotabato and Southern Leyte scheduled on October 26 have been suspended by the Commission on Elections.
In Resolution No. 10612, the poll body resolved to suspend the elections for Member, House of Representatives for the First and Third (Lone) Legislative Districts of South Cotabato.
The Comelec said this is in view of the Resolution of the Supreme Court directing them to proclaim Shirlyn L. Bañas-Nograles as Representatives for the First Legislative District of South Cotabato, including General Santos City.
To note, the SC declared as null and void Comelec Resolution No. 10524 and ordered the convening of a Special Provincial Board of Canvassers to proclaim the winning candidate.
In the same Comelec Resolution, the poll body also suspended the elections for Member, House of Representatives for the First and Second Legislative Districts of Southern Leyte citing the possibility of the SC resolution also being applied to a similarly situated case.
“(This) in view of the possibility that the resolution of the SC in the Banas-Nograles case will be applied on (Mercado case), as both cases are similarly situated,” the poll body said.
“However, in case no decision from the SC is forthcoming, the Southern Leyte elections shall push through on November 30, 2019, to avoid any prolonged vacuum in the Office of Representatives for the first and second legislative districts,” they added.
With the suspension, the Comelec said all activities including bidding and procurements and implementation of all their resolutions relative to the October 26 polls have also been suspended.
The Comelec earlier suspended the holding of congressional elections in the first district of South Cotabato last May 13 in accordance with Republic Act No. 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato by creating a separate legislative district for General Santos City.
The holding of elections for district representatives in Southern Leyte was also previously suspended to a date later than May 13, 2019, in view of the passage of Republic Act No. 11198 which reapportioned the Province of Southern Leyte from a Lone Legislative District into two legislative districts.
RA No. 11198 reapportioning Southern Leyte into two legislative districts became effective on February 19, 2019.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/24/comelec-suspends-oct-26-polls-in-south-cotabato-southern-leyte/
The first regular elections for the District Representatives of South Cotabato and Southern Leyte scheduled on October 26 have been suspended by the Commission on Elections.
In Resolution No. 10612, the poll body resolved to suspend the elections for Member, House of Representatives for the First and Third (Lone) Legislative Districts of South Cotabato.
The Comelec said this is in view of the Resolution of the Supreme Court directing them to proclaim Shirlyn L. Bañas-Nograles as Representatives for the First Legislative District of South Cotabato, including General Santos City.
To note, the SC declared as null and void Comelec Resolution No. 10524 and ordered the convening of a Special Provincial Board of Canvassers to proclaim the winning candidate.
In the same Comelec Resolution, the poll body also suspended the elections for Member, House of Representatives for the First and Second Legislative Districts of Southern Leyte citing the possibility of the SC resolution also being applied to a similarly situated case.
“(This) in view of the possibility that the resolution of the SC in the Banas-Nograles case will be applied on (Mercado case), as both cases are similarly situated,” the poll body said.
“However, in case no decision from the SC is forthcoming, the Southern Leyte elections shall push through on November 30, 2019, to avoid any prolonged vacuum in the Office of Representatives for the first and second legislative districts,” they added.
With the suspension, the Comelec said all activities including bidding and procurements and implementation of all their resolutions relative to the October 26 polls have also been suspended.
The Comelec earlier suspended the holding of congressional elections in the first district of South Cotabato last May 13 in accordance with Republic Act No. 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato by creating a separate legislative district for General Santos City.
The holding of elections for district representatives in Southern Leyte was also previously suspended to a date later than May 13, 2019, in view of the passage of Republic Act No. 11198 which reapportioned the Province of Southern Leyte from a Lone Legislative District into two legislative districts.
RA No. 11198 reapportioning Southern Leyte into two legislative districts became effective on February 19, 2019.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/24/comelec-suspends-oct-26-polls-in-south-cotabato-southern-leyte/
Zambo City congressman wants to split district to two
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe wants to reapportion the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts.
Citing Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, he said Congress has the power to reapportion legislative districts.
The 1987 Constitution provides that a city or a province with a population of at least 250,000 shall have at least one representative in Congress and within three years following the return of every census, the Congress shall make reapportionment of legislative districts based on the standards set by the Charter.
Dalipe, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, noted that based on the 2015 census, the second district of Zamboanga City comprised of 61 barangays has a total population of 459,205.
“It is for this reason that the need to have an additional representation has to be addressed through the reapportionment of the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts,” Dalipe said.
“Once passed into law, the additional district will provide access and at the same time, improve the delivery of government services and implementation of programs, projects and activities for the Zamboangueños,” he added.
Dalipe filed House Bill 4979 seeking to reapportion the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts.
Under the bill, the Second Legislative District of Zamboanga City shall be composed of 20 barangays—Baliwasan, Camino Nuevo, Canelar, Guiwan, Kampung Islam, Kasangyangan, Mariki, Rio Hondo, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, San Jose Gusu, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Sto. Nino, Talon-Talon, Tetuan, Tugbungan, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 and Zone 4.
While, the Third Legislative District shall be composed of 55 barangays—Arena Blanco, Boalan, Bolong, Buenavista, Bunguiao, Busay, Cabaluay, Cacao, Calabasa, Culianan, Curuan, Dita, Divisoria, Dulian (U.B.), Guisao, Lamisahan, Landang Gua, Landang Laum, Lanzones, Lapakan, Latuan, Licomo, Limaong, Lubigan, Lumayang, Lumbangan, Lunzuran, Mampang, Manalipa, Mangusu, Manicahan, Mercedes, Muti, Pangapuyan, Panubigan, Pasilmanta, Pasobolong, Putik, Quiniput, Salaan, Sangali, Sibulao, Tagasilay, Taguiti, Talabaan, Taluksangay, Tictapul, Tigbalabag, Tigtabon, Tolosa, Tumalutab, Tumitus, Victoria, Vitali and Zambowood.
House Bill 4979 provides that the incumbent Representative of the second legislative district of Zamboanga City shall continue to represent the legislative district until the new representative of the Second and Third Legislative districts shall have been elected and qualified in the next congressional elections.
The measure tasks the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/24/zambo-city-congressman-wants-to-split-district-to-two/
Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe wants to reapportion the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts.
Citing Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, he said Congress has the power to reapportion legislative districts.
The 1987 Constitution provides that a city or a province with a population of at least 250,000 shall have at least one representative in Congress and within three years following the return of every census, the Congress shall make reapportionment of legislative districts based on the standards set by the Charter.
Dalipe, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, noted that based on the 2015 census, the second district of Zamboanga City comprised of 61 barangays has a total population of 459,205.
“It is for this reason that the need to have an additional representation has to be addressed through the reapportionment of the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts,” Dalipe said.
“Once passed into law, the additional district will provide access and at the same time, improve the delivery of government services and implementation of programs, projects and activities for the Zamboangueños,” he added.
Dalipe filed House Bill 4979 seeking to reapportion the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts.
Under the bill, the Second Legislative District of Zamboanga City shall be composed of 20 barangays—Baliwasan, Camino Nuevo, Canelar, Guiwan, Kampung Islam, Kasangyangan, Mariki, Rio Hondo, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, San Jose Gusu, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Sto. Nino, Talon-Talon, Tetuan, Tugbungan, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 and Zone 4.
While, the Third Legislative District shall be composed of 55 barangays—Arena Blanco, Boalan, Bolong, Buenavista, Bunguiao, Busay, Cabaluay, Cacao, Calabasa, Culianan, Curuan, Dita, Divisoria, Dulian (U.B.), Guisao, Lamisahan, Landang Gua, Landang Laum, Lanzones, Lapakan, Latuan, Licomo, Limaong, Lubigan, Lumayang, Lumbangan, Lunzuran, Mampang, Manalipa, Mangusu, Manicahan, Mercedes, Muti, Pangapuyan, Panubigan, Pasilmanta, Pasobolong, Putik, Quiniput, Salaan, Sangali, Sibulao, Tagasilay, Taguiti, Talabaan, Taluksangay, Tictapul, Tigbalabag, Tigtabon, Tolosa, Tumalutab, Tumitus, Victoria, Vitali and Zambowood.
House Bill 4979 provides that the incumbent Representative of the second legislative district of Zamboanga City shall continue to represent the legislative district until the new representative of the Second and Third Legislative districts shall have been elected and qualified in the next congressional elections.
The measure tasks the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/24/zambo-city-congressman-wants-to-split-district-to-two/