Archbishop Legaspi Hits Camarines Sur Redistricting

Naga City (29 October) - In urging the local Catholic faithful to choose morally upright candidates and shun those "greedy for power and money," Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi criticized the re-districting of the province of Camarines Sur and the politicians behind this.

In his homily last October 25, Archbishop Legaspi decried how some candidates present themselves as committed to serve the country, but after sitting in office intend only to serve themselves and take advantage of the people.

":Nang sila ay tumatakbo, nagkakampanya, sinasabi nila nais nilang maglingkod sa bayan, maging alipin ng bayan. Kapag nakaupo sila - nais lamang nilang maglingkod sa sarili, at samantalahin ang mga tao," the Archbishop lamented.

He proceeded to provide the example of how some local politicians have sought to serve their own interests in the gerrymandering of the province. "Ang isang klasikong halimbawa ay nangyari dito sa atin: ang pagkakaroon ng ika-limang distrito sa Camarines Sur," he explained.

Citing a local newspaper's account of the passage of RA 9716, Archbishop Legaspi stated that the division of Camarines Sur from four districts into five is an effort to accommodate incumbent First District Congressman and "Presidential Son" Dato Arroyo and erstwhile First District Representative and current Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. who are both seeking congressional seats during the 2010 Elections.

The recently signed RA 9716 had re-districted the province by dividing the First District into two, creating another congressional district which effectively allows both Rep. Arroyo and Sec. Andaya to run for congress without having to compete with each another in the elections.

RA 9716 was principally sponsored by Camarines Sur Second District Rep. Luis Villafuerte Sr., who like Andaya is a known ally of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Archbishop pointed out that many have opposed the redistricting because of unmet requirements stipulated by the Constitution. He asked, "Kung totoo ito, paano pa natin mababasa ang pagpupumilit na ito kundi para sa kapakanan ng sarili at hindi ng tao, ng bayan?"

Archbishop Legaspi concluded his homily by presenting considerations in the assessment of the suitability of political candidates. He indicated that their track record must be used as basis: "Kung siya ay re-electionist ano ba ang kanyang maipakikita na kabutihan nagawa sa bayan? Yumaman ba ang bayan o ang bahay niya? Naging tahimik ba tayo o lalo lang gumulo ang ating buhay? Naging magpalingkod ba o arogante sa poder?"