Why Ilonggos won't oppose redistricting bill

"Good things happen when you get your priorities straight."
--Scott Caan

By Alex P. Vidal

THE proposed House bill dividing Iloilo City into two legislative districts re-filed recently by Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne "Jamjam" Baronda will never encounter any drastic opposition from the Ilonggos.
We predict that it will even be passed smoothly in the Lower House and eventually signed into law by the President.
The proposed bill is harmless and its intention, according to the proponents, is to bring more benefits and progress for the Ilonggo populace.
As long as it is not a controversial bill that will have a negative impact on the people's economic well-being, Ilonggos will not complain; they will not stand in the way to stymie what can't hurt them.

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Many Ilonggos, in fact, don't even give too much attention to the news about the redistricting bill. They leave the matter to the politicians.
Most of them believe the issue isn't really earthshaking that would warrant their full scrutiny.
In the back of their minds, they have elected their public officials and they shall be the ones to worry whether the proposed bill is beneficial to the electorate.
Amid the economic hardships, Ilonggos worry first for their families before anything else.
They are busy making both ends meet; they care most for their next meal on the table; they are focused on the welfare of their children and livelihood, and how to eke out a living to ensure their monthly bills and other financial obligations are settled on time.

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It will be the local politicians, not the common tao, who are head-over-heels over the proposed redistricting bill.
At least their will be a light at the end of the tunnel for their political future after they have been sledge-hammered and ousted in the previous elections.
Local politicians with burning desires to win a seat in the House of Representatives will definitely back the proposed redistricting bill.
They are aware that once a dominant political group has taken over like the Trenas-Baronda-Ganzon triumvirate, it will be very hard for them to squeeze in when the next election beckons if it remains a lone congressional district.
With two legislative districts, their hopes of going to Congress without swimming into the deep blue sea for a head-on collision with the Titanic, will be avoided.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)