Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manita

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2305

HOUSE BILL NO..

Introduced by Rep. LORETO 8. ACHARON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 1987 when the new Philippine Constitution was ratified, the City of General Santos as in the
case of many other cities that failed to meet the population requirement of 250,000, remained
clustered with their province of origin for purposes of congressional representation, which in this
particular case, was the First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato.

Such representation however was purely for congressional purposes only and was in no way
indicative of a change in the legal status of the City of General Santos as a highly urbanized city,
geographically separate, administratively independent and beyond the political jurisdiction of
the Province of South Cotabato.

This independence is clearly defined and provided for in Section 103 of Republic Act No. 5412 as
amended, otherwise known as the “Charter of the City of General Santos”; Section 3 paragraph
4 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 51 or the “Act Providing for the Elective or Appointive Positions in
Various Local Governments and for Other Purposes”; Sections 165 to 168, Title Three, Chapter |
of Batas Pambansa Bilang 337 otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1983” and
Section 452-c, Title Three, Chapter | of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the “Local
Government Code of 1991”.

This bill therefore seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11243 to designate the City of General Santos
as a Lone Legislative District consistent with the spirit and intent of the aforementioned laws.

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

tore 8. ACHARON



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

ino 3308

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. LORETO B, ACHARON

AN ACT

DESIGNATING THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS AS A LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11243

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. Section | of Republic Act No. 11243 is amended to read as follows:

Section 1. [Reapportioning of the First] LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE
CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS. - [The First Legislative District of the Province of South
Cotabato is hereby reapportioned in order to create the Lone Legislative District of General Santos
City to commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this Act.) THE
CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS IS SEPARATED FROM THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE
DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO TO CONSTITUTE THE LONE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS. [The Legislative
Districts] THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT of the Provinee shall now be composed of
the [following] MUNICIPALITIES OF POLOMOLOK, TAMPAKAN AND TUPI.

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are

hereby repealed, amended. or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (1'5) days after completion of its publication

in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

APPROVED.