Last June, Pangasinan Rep. Victor Agbayani (second district) filed House Bill 4267 or “An Act Reapportioning the Province of Pangasinan into Seven Legislative Districts.” It was co-authored by Representatives Arthur Celeste (first district) and Ma. Rachel Arenas (third district).
Celeste, however, said in an interview that he has withdrawn his signature as co-author because his constituents were against it. Arenas, for her part, said that she was not pushing for the approval of the bill because she was already happy with with the composition of the district that she now has.
The Agbayani bill has been approved by the House of Representatives in the third reading and has been elevated to the Senate committee on local governments chaired by Sen. Benigno Aquino III.
The Pangasinan provincial board, in its regular session last Monday, unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Agbayani bill, citing among others, that only three districts will be affected by the redistricting and there was no consultation with the people.
Aksyon Radyo commentator interviewed Pangasinan Board Member Alfonso Bince before the provincial board session began last Monday.