After PDAF got ditched: Solon rethinks stand on splitting Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Lone district Rep. Evelio Leonardia is rethinking his stand on the splitting of the city into two districts following the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Leonardia, who had been pushing for redistricting Bacolod, stressed there's a "need to rethink our position on splitting the city into two districts."

"There is no more PDAF now, and pressing for two districts could only double government expenses for results that can be effectively delivered only by one congressman who works well and hard," the solon explained.

"Considering the new realities now, a single district could be more cost-efficient for the government," Leonardia emphasized, adding that "this is a local issue and we should address this ourselves."

He chided Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella, who reportedly announced that he will seek the help of other lawmakers to split the city into two districts,

"This is plainly an attempt by the mayor to bypass and embarrass me which he seems to have developed an inordinate liking for," Leonardia claimed, adding that "I don't think there are lawmakers who are as ill-mannered as him (Puentevella) to meddle in the affairs of our district."

The solon pointed out that Puentevella had the time to do it when he was congressman for nine years, claiming that "I could understand Puentevella's desire to embarrass or put me down but I cannot imagine how he could drag other lawmakers into the politics of this city and do his bidding." /JMD (FREEMAN)