2 proclaimed party lists come from Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY — Of the proclaimed party list groups, two come from Eastern Visayas.

An Waray, which has been in Congress since 2004, and Tingog Sinirangan were able to secure one seat each during the May 13 midterm elections.

Former congressman Florencio Noel will return to the House of Representatives, representing An Waray, while outgoing Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of the province’s first district is Tingog’s first nominee.

Romualdez’s husband, Martin, will take over her place. He is touted as a strong contender for the Speakership of the Lower House.

Both party-list representatives said their presence would help advance the interests not only of their “constituents” but the rest of the people of Eastern Visayas, the country’s third poorest region.

But for political analyst Professor Ladylyn Mangada, of the University of the Philippines-Tacloban, the additional number of congressmen is not a guarantee that the interests of the region and its people would be promoted.

“It’s not a matter of how many congressmen the region will have. It’s not a matter of quantity but rather, if they will really promote the interest of the entire region by becoming real representatives (of the people),” Mangada said.

If the current 12 congressmen would come together and form into a bloc, they are enough to advance the interests and welfare of the Waray people, she said.

But what is happening, Mangada said, is that the congressmen are only after their constituents, disregarding what could benefit the entire Eastern Visayas.

“They are only after their interests and not (of the region),” Mangada said. (Editor: Leti Boniol)