Unity representation means quality and quantity lawmaking

By VINCE BORNEO
National Unity Party . 

LET us further make better choices. Choose the best option for leadership and service. This is and should be our collective resolution for 2019 – that is in fact a mid-term election year.

Misamis Oriental (2nd District) Congresswoman Juliette Uy of the National Unity Party (NUP) is seeking re-election. As the first woman congressional representative in the history of Misamis Oriental, the people of the province, particularly in the 13 towns (Claveria, Jasaan, Villanueva, Tagoloan, Opol, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Libertad, Gitagum, Initao, Naawan, Manticao and Lugait) and component city of El Salvador have seen how a woman can ably wield the powers of representation in the halls of Congress.

The continuing track record of her government service spans nine years as the first woman local chief executive of Villanueva and her current second term as congresswoman.

A simple comparative look at Congresswoman Uy’s legislative record reveals a conscientious lawmaker who tries and does the work well. It will be helpful to note that all these information are available for researchers in the website contents of Congress (www.congress.gov.ph).

In her first term as representative, Congresswoman Uy authored and co-authored 176 House Bills and Resolutions of which 18 were passed into law in the 16th Congress (2013-2016).  Not bad for a first-term woman lawmaker from Northern Mindanao.

In her second term that is under the current 17th Congress (2016-2019), she has so far authored and co-authored 249 House Bills and Resolutions of national and local significance combined. As of this writing, Congresswoman Uy now has 19 laws enacted by President Rodrigo Duterte.

So far, so good. The congresswoman has worked on and helped pass 37 laws in less than six years.

Now let us take a look at the legislative records of her co-candidates for the upcoming elections, namely former representatives Augusto Baculio Jr. and Benjo Benaldo.

Former Rep. Baculio served three terms from 1998 to 2007.  In the 11th Congress, Baculio authored and co-authored 154 House Bills and Resolutions of which seven became laws. He had 112 House Bills and Resolutions in the 12th Congress wherein 18 became laws. In his final term in the 13th Congress, he worked on 118 House Bills and Resolutions that resulted in 21 laws. Sum total for former Rep. Baculio is 47 laws in nine years.

Former Rep. Benaldo served one term as Cagayan de Oro City 1st District congressman (2010-2013). He was an assistant majority leader in the 15th Congress. His legislative record is authoring and co-authoring 51 House Bills and Resolutions with two becoming laws.

For sure, track records in the legislative mill are but a snapshot of each leader that makes herself or himself available for the electorate to choose from. But the legislative track record of an individual is an important guidepost for any selfespecting citizen who shall participate in the polls.

Other guideposts are the visibility, increased exposure of government programs and services and transparency of any and all candidates.

With all those combined comes overall performance. In this light, one and all can say that the logical choice for continuing service and leadership in Misamis Oriental’s Second District is still Congresswoman Juliette Uy.

(Vince Borneo is a legislative staff in the House of Representatives. He is contributor to local dailies on the side.)