MAKATI,CITY – Makati City Mayor Abby Binay questioned the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to hold elections for congressmen in EMBO barangays.
According to Binay, the poll body seems to have forgotten that city councilors are elected by the legislative district. Where EMBO residents can vote for city councilors, this means they are part of a legislative district. So why is theComelec preventing residents from voting for their congressional representative.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that EMBO barangays are currently not included in any district in Taguig. He added that a law needs to be a law passed for EMBO barangays to be included in a district or for them to be categorized as a “third district.”
While Binay expressed his disappointment in the matter.
The mayor added that Taguig City should fight for the right of EMBO residents to vote for their congressional representative.
She said simply accepting the Comelec’s decision is to perpetuate an injustice and be a party to the reduction of their rights as citizens. They said their rights should be defended. And if the Taguig leadership does not do this, they will be a part of taking away the rights of EMBO people.
The SC previously declared the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of parcels 3 and 4, psu-2031, and the 10 EMBO barangays as part of the territory of Taguig City.
The 10 barangays of EMBO are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo, and West Rembo.
They used to be part of Makati City.
Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec has already prepared the ballots for the upcoming election, which does not include the congressman for the EMBO barangays.