SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) .
Third Regular Session ) -
18 AUG -9 P3314
SENATE
s.No._ 1929 p

Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV

AN ACT
REAPPORTIONING THE CURRENT FOUR (4) LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OF
THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA TO SIX (6) LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The beauty of a democracy is that each vote and each voice is valued.
Through a representative government, ordinary citizens are given the power to elect
leaders that would fight for their rights, hopes and ideals. Thanks to their right to
speak and protest, as well as their right to vote, the people also have the power to
hold their representatives accountable.

This bill seeks to strengthen the power of the people, particularly our
countrymen in Isabela, by ensuring that there is a proportionate number of
constituents for each of their District Representatives.

The province of Isabela is the second largest province in the Philippines in
terms of land area and is currently politically subdivided into three (3) cities and
thirty-four (34) municipalities.

Based on the latest 2015 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics
Authority, the Province of Isabela has a total population of 1,593,566, which includes



the highly urbanized city of Santiago with a population of 134,830. Each district
representative currently serves an average of 318,000 constituents.

Article VI, Section 5, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
provides that:

“(3) Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable,
contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at
least two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, shall have at least one
representative.

(4) Within three years following the return of every census, the
Congress shall make a reappointment of legislative districts based on the
standards provided in this section.”

The Constitution clearly deems 300,000 to 1 as a disproportionate number of
constituents per District Representative.

Let’s uphold our Constitution and strengthen our democracy by giving the
people of Isabela equal opportunity to participate in the national legislative affairs

through their representatives.

In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is earnestly sought.

fier Bon



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )
‘18 NUS -9 P3314
SENATE
s.No._ 1929

Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV

AN ACT
REAPPORTIONING THE CURRENT FOUR (4) LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OF
THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA TO SIX (6) LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Reapportionment of the Four (4) Legislative Districts of
the Province of Isabela — The Province of Isabela shall have six (6) legislative
districts to commence in the next elections after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 2. Composition of new Districts — The six (6) legislative districts
shall be composed of the following:

District 1:

1. Cabagan
. Delfin Albano
. Divilacan
.. Maconacon
. Palanan
. Tumauini
. San Pablo
. Santa Maria
. Santo Tomas

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aus

District II:

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Distri
1

. Benito Soliven

. Tlagan City

. Naguillian

}. Reina Mercedes
. San Mariano

‘ict III:

. Alicia

. Cabatuan

. Cauayan City
Luna

District IV:

1.
2.
3.
4.

- Cordon

. Jones

. Santiago City
|. San Agustin

District V:

1

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Aurora

. Burgos

. Gamu

}. Mallig

. Quezon

» Quirino

. Roxas

. San Manuel

District VI:

1
2.

. Angadanan
. Echague



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Car )d

10

12
13

. Dinapigue

. Ramon

. San Guillermo
. San Mateo

. San Isidro

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SEC. 3. Election of Representatives — The Election of Representatives of
the reapportioned districts of the Province of Isabela under this Act shall take place
during the next elections after the effectivity of this Act and every national and local
elections thereafter.

SEC. 4. Sangguniang Panlalawigan — In accordance with the
reapportionment mandated by this Act, there shall be elected three (3) Sangguniang
Panlalawigan members in each district in the next elections and every national and
local elections thereafter.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Commission on
Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — A\l |aws, decrees, rules and regulations and
other issuances or part thereof which are inconsistent with the provision of this Act
are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two newspapers of general

circulation in the Philippines, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,