President Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11243 reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cotabato and creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City.
Under the new law, signed March 11, the first legislative district of the province will be composed of Polompok, Tamapakan, and Tupi. The second legislative district will be composed of Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T’Boli.
General Santos City will be the province’s third legislative district.
Based on the law, the incumbent representatives of the present first and second legislative district of the province shall continue to represent the districts until the new representatives have been duly elected and qualified in the next elections after the law takes effect.
The Commission on Elections is also mandated to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the law within 30 days after its effectivity.
The law will take effect 15 days after it is published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (Argyll Geducos)
