Fuentebella still bullish on CamSur bill

MANILA, Philippines - Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella predicted yesterday that the Senate would finally pass the bill splitting Camarines Sur (CamSur) into two provinces when Congress reconvenes on Monday.

He said he was basing his prediction on the fact that two Senate panels – the committee on local government and the committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws – endorsed the bill in separate reports last Aug. 16 and Sept. 12.

In fact, he said Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who chairs the revision of laws committee, and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., local government committee chairman, “have sponsored the measure with some amendments.”

He said it is only Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who is opposing the proposed creation of the new province of Nueva Camarines out of CamSur.

Fuentebella is finishing his third and last term in June next year. His son William Felix would try to aspire for the congressional seat he would vacate. The younger Fuentebella’s opponent is actor Aga Muhlach.

The elder Fuentebella would run for governor of the proposed new province if the bill creating it becomes law.

Rep. Fuentebella has denied that former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lobbied for the bill, as she has no interest to protect in the proposed Nueva Camarines.

He said Arroyo’s son Diosdado is representative of CamSur’s second district, which will remain with the mother province.