Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16" Congress
First Regular Session

" HOUSE BILL NOL6 87

Introduced by Representatives EVELINA G. ESCUDERO and
DEOGRACIAS B. RAMOS, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Prior to the enactment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Province of Sorsogon was
already divided into two legislative districts. What was then the 1* District was composed of the
municipalities of Barcelona, Prieto Diaz, Gubat, Bulusan, Irosin, Sta. Magdalena, Matnog and
Bulan while the then-Second Di: included the capital town of Sorsogon, Pilar, Donsol,
Castilla, Bacon, Casiguran, Magallanes and Juban.

Under the Ordinance appended to the 1987 Constitution, the 1" District of Sorsogon
came to be called the 2 District and what was then the 2” District became the new 1* District.
More significantly, the town of Juban was separated from its old legislative district and became
part of the 2" District. This could have been an oversight on the part of the framers of the 1987
Constitution.

Article VI, Sec. 5 (3) of the 1987 Constitution states that every “legislative district shall
comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory”. A cursory look at a
map of the Province of Sorsogon will show that the town of Juban is adjacent to and in fact is
sandwiched between the towns of Magallanes and Casiguran which both belong to the 1* District
of Sorsogon. Thus, in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, Juban ought to have been included
in the same district as the said towns. Further, the economy of Juban is closely tied to that of
Magallanes and Casiguran.

This bill now seeks to restore the inclusion of the town of Juban to what is now the First
District of Sorsogon. Not only will this be in accordance with the standards set forth by the 1987
Constitution but it will allow better synchronization of legislative projects for the three adjacent
towns.

In view of this, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Mew

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO
Representative
1* District, Sorsogon : 2™ Distrf€f, Sorsogon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 1687

Introduced by Representatives EVELINA G. ESCUDERO = and
DEOGRACIAS B. RAMOS, JR.

AN ACT
REAPPORTIONING THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS OF
THE PROVINCE OF SORSOGON TO INCLUDE THE MUNICIPALITY OF JUBAN IN
THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

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

SECTION 1. The composition of the First and Second Legislative Districts of the
Province of Sorsogon is hereby reapportioned and the Municipality of Juban shall henceforth
form part of the First Legislative District of Sorsogon.

SEC. 2. The composition of the First and Second Legislative Districts shall be as
follows:

(a) First Distriet — Sorsogon City, Donsol, Pilar, Castilla, Casiguran, Magallanes
and Juban; and

(b) Second District - Gubat, Barcelona, Prieto Diaz, Sta. Magdalena, Matnog,
Bulan, Irosin, and Bulusan.

SEC. 3. The Commission on Elections shall formulate and issue the rules and regulations
necessary for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause — All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,