Mayor Binay slams Comelec on EMBO residents not having congressman vote

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Wednesday questioned the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to have an election for congressman in EMBO barangays.

“It seems that the poll body has forgotten that city councilors are elected by legislative district. If the EMBO residents can vote for city councilors, this means they are part of a legislative district. Then why can’t they vote for their congressional representative?" Binay asked.

On Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that EMBO barangays were currently not included in any district in Taguig. He added that a law is needed to be passed for the EMBO barangays to be included in a district or for them to be categorized as a "third district."

Binay expressed disappointment over the matter.

''The decision denies the EMBO residents of this right," she said.

“Nawalan na nga ng benepisyo mula sa Makati, inalisan pa sila ng karapatang bumoto ng kanilang kinatawan sa Kongreso.'' 

(Not only have they lost the benefits from Makati, they have also been deprived of their right to vote for their representative in Congress.)

The mayor also said Taguig City should fight for the right of EMBO residents to vote for their congressional representative.

“To simply accept the Comelec decision is to sustain an injustice and be a party to the derogation of their rights as citizens. Dapat ipagtanggol ang kanilang karapatan. Kung hindi ito gagawin ng pamunuan ng Taguig, bahagi sila sa pagkitil sa karapatan ng mga taga-EMBO,” she said. 

(Their rights must be defended. If the Taguig leadership won't do it, they would be complicit in the suppression of the rights of EMBO residents.)

The SC earlier declared 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 EMBO barangays are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo, and West Rembo.

They were previously part of Makati City.

Meanwhile, Garcia said that Comelec has already prepared ballots for the upcoming elections, which would not include the congressman for the EMBO barangays.

“Hindi po kami pwede maghintay  kung magakakaroon ng batas o wala sapagkat ayun pong balota  kinakailangan maging maliwanag kung may congressman o wala," explained Garcia.

(We cannot wait for a law because the ballot has to be clear whether there will be a congressman or not.) 

Garcia previously said the EMBO barangays could still vote for national positions and Taguig's mayor and vice mayor. —VAL, GMA Integrated News