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Reaching far beyond
Law-making beyond the confines of Valenzuela’s 2nd district
Article and photos by: Abigail C. Castillo
Holding public office is not an easy task, but staying in power is even harder.
For one to remain in power, one must be credible enough to seek re-election. Two-term Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol “Magi” Gunigundo proved that he already gained the trust of his constituents through making laws and implementing projects that genuinely benefit the citizens.
Born to a family of politicians, Gunigundo started his career as legislator in the 11th Congress. Since then, more than 10 out of around 60 house bills (HB) that he filed were signed into law.
Gunigundo is the principal author of seven national laws. Some of these are the “Gunigundo Law (RA 9048)," which authorizes the correction of clerical errors in the Civil Register without the need of Judicial Order, and the “Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211),” which bans all forms of cigarette advertisement.
At present, the representative has filed 18 bills, all are of national scope except one which is district-specific.
On top of his list is the Multi-lingual Education and Literacy Act of 2010 (HB 162). Under this bill, the first language of of a child shall be the medium of instruction (MOI) in all subjects from pre-school to grade six.
Among other bills are those that seek to increase the tax exemption of purely compensation income earners (HB 3838), abolish estate tax (HB 5602), and strengthen the tenure of the workers in the private sector (HB 2491).
Meanwhile, the only bill he filed that directly covers Valenzuela is HB 4353. This pushes for the creation of two additional trial courts (RTC) and six municipal trial courts (MTC) in Valenzuela City.
All-encompassing
The whole point of having district representatives in the Congress is to legislate laws promoting the interests of the citizens in a particular jurisdiction.
However, that is not the case in the Philippines. Majority of laws made by the representatives are of national scope, instead of being district-specific.
When asked about this trend, Gunigundo uses the Multi-lingual Education and Literacy Act of 2010 as an example.
He said that researches show that children learn best when they are taught using a language very familiar to them: their first language.
As much as we want to maximize the potential of our students through learning ,“how can you limit the scope of such act within your own jurisdiction?” said Gunigundo.
On the other hand, Gunigundo said that the cases in Valenzuela’s courts are heavily congested, leading to slow processing of lawsuits.
He added that the cases must be decongested for faster administration of justice. For this to be possible, additional courts are needed, Gunigundo said.
New MTCs and RTCs can only be created through a law. That is why the establishment of these courts is the district-specific concern in his legislative agenda, explained Gunigundo.
Taxpayers’ money at work
The Philippine legislative body is not limited to law-making for their constituents. Members of the Congress also allocate funds for government expenditures.
Guided by the political platform 3Gs, which stand for Gamot, Gamit, Gobyernong Maasikaso, Gunigundo allots funds for medical services, educational assistance programs, livelihood projects, and infrastructures.
Valuenzuela City Government spends around P15 to P17 million for medical and financial assistance programs in District 2.
A total of 1,966 public elementary and high school students receive sholarship grants from the through the office of Gunigundo. This school year, they aim to double the number of recipients.
In addition, a total of 117 infrastructures from 2008 to 2010 were constructed in nine barangays in the Second District of Valenzuela.
Recommendations and commendations
During Gunigundo’s terms, the representative’s platform embodied by 3Gs are fulfilled, said Lilia Amurao, 55, resident of Valenzuela for almost three decades.
Dressmaker Emma Montano, 51, gave two thumbs up to the road constructions, which lessen floods during rainy seasons.
Meanwhile, junior high school student Raquelyn delos Reyes, 15, suggests that the government effect more scholarship programs especially for families with five or more children.
“Sana magkaroon po ng scholarship kung saan kahit isa lang sa limang magkakapatid, makakalibre na ng pag-aaral,” delos Reyes said.
On the final note, “alam naman nating hindi maiiwasan ang pangungurakot sa public office, pero at least si [Cong.] Gunigundo tumutulong naman. Yung iba, ang lakas na ngang mangurakot, hindi pa nakakatulong,” said Lilia’s daughter Alma, 25, a former saleslady. #
Sources:
· Documents from Bills and Index, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa
· Documents from Rm. 212, Office of Cong. Magtanggol Gunigundo, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa
· The people's representative and defender. (2003, July 26). Philippine Free Press , pp. 25-28
· Gunigundo, M. (2010, October 2). Interview with Cong. Gunigundo. (A. C. Castillo, Interviewer)
Article and photos by: Abigail C. Castillo
Holding public office is not an easy task, but staying in power is even harder.
For one to remain in power, one must be credible enough to seek re-election. Two-term Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol “Magi” Gunigundo proved that he already gained the trust of his constituents through making laws and implementing projects that genuinely benefit the citizens.
Born to a family of politicians, Gunigundo started his career as legislator in the 11th Congress. Since then, more than 10 out of around 60 house bills (HB) that he filed were signed into law.
Gunigundo is the principal author of seven national laws. Some of these are the “Gunigundo Law (RA 9048)," which authorizes the correction of clerical errors in the Civil Register without the need of Judicial Order, and the “Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211),” which bans all forms of cigarette advertisement.
At present, the representative has filed 18 bills, all are of national scope except one which is district-specific.
On top of his list is the Multi-lingual Education and Literacy Act of 2010 (HB 162). Under this bill, the first language of of a child shall be the medium of instruction (MOI) in all subjects from pre-school to grade six.
Among other bills are those that seek to increase the tax exemption of purely compensation income earners (HB 3838), abolish estate tax (HB 5602), and strengthen the tenure of the workers in the private sector (HB 2491).
Meanwhile, the only bill he filed that directly covers Valenzuela is HB 4353. This pushes for the creation of two additional trial courts (RTC) and six municipal trial courts (MTC) in Valenzuela City.
All-encompassing
The whole point of having district representatives in the Congress is to legislate laws promoting the interests of the citizens in a particular jurisdiction.
However, that is not the case in the Philippines. Majority of laws made by the representatives are of national scope, instead of being district-specific.
When asked about this trend, Gunigundo uses the Multi-lingual Education and Literacy Act of 2010 as an example.
He said that researches show that children learn best when they are taught using a language very familiar to them: their first language.
As much as we want to maximize the potential of our students through learning ,“how can you limit the scope of such act within your own jurisdiction?” said Gunigundo.
On the other hand, Gunigundo said that the cases in Valenzuela’s courts are heavily congested, leading to slow processing of lawsuits.
He added that the cases must be decongested for faster administration of justice. For this to be possible, additional courts are needed, Gunigundo said.
New MTCs and RTCs can only be created through a law. That is why the establishment of these courts is the district-specific concern in his legislative agenda, explained Gunigundo.
Taxpayers’ money at work
The Philippine legislative body is not limited to law-making for their constituents. Members of the Congress also allocate funds for government expenditures.
Guided by the political platform 3Gs, which stand for Gamot, Gamit, Gobyernong Maasikaso, Gunigundo allots funds for medical services, educational assistance programs, livelihood projects, and infrastructures.
Valuenzuela City Government spends around P15 to P17 million for medical and financial assistance programs in District 2.
A total of 1,966 public elementary and high school students receive sholarship grants from the through the office of Gunigundo. This school year, they aim to double the number of recipients.
In addition, a total of 117 infrastructures from 2008 to 2010 were constructed in nine barangays in the Second District of Valenzuela.
Recommendations and commendations
During Gunigundo’s terms, the representative’s platform embodied by 3Gs are fulfilled, said Lilia Amurao, 55, resident of Valenzuela for almost three decades.
Dressmaker Emma Montano, 51, gave two thumbs up to the road constructions, which lessen floods during rainy seasons.
Meanwhile, junior high school student Raquelyn delos Reyes, 15, suggests that the government effect more scholarship programs especially for families with five or more children.
“Sana magkaroon po ng scholarship kung saan kahit isa lang sa limang magkakapatid, makakalibre na ng pag-aaral,” delos Reyes said.
On the final note, “alam naman nating hindi maiiwasan ang pangungurakot sa public office, pero at least si [Cong.] Gunigundo tumutulong naman. Yung iba, ang lakas na ngang mangurakot, hindi pa nakakatulong,” said Lilia’s daughter Alma, 25, a former saleslady. #
Sources:
· Documents from Bills and Index, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa
· Documents from Rm. 212, Office of Cong. Magtanggol Gunigundo, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa
· The people's representative and defender. (2003, July 26). Philippine Free Press , pp. 25-28
· Gunigundo, M. (2010, October 2). Interview with Cong. Gunigundo. (A. C. Castillo, Interviewer)