Chapter 5Staying the CourseCongressman Pidi, as he is fondly called by his constituents is at present the only local politician of legitimate national stature. He appears with regular frequency in national trimedia and in the internet because of his participation in issues of national concerns like the 2013 debate on Meralcos P4.15-per-kilowatt-hour rate increase. In the investigation that was conducted in the House of Representatives, Congressman Barzaga, together with Representative Neri Colmenares of the Bayan Muna party-list was at the forefront of denouncing Meralco, challenging the proposed steep hike, and declaring the sixty-day (60) TRO issued by the Supreme Court as a mere temporary relief for the consumers. In 2008, he was also took part in the congressional inquiry that sought to compel Sulpicio Lines Inc., to compensate victims of the latest maritime tragedy caused by their vessel, and for its management to issue a categorical commitment to shoulder the cost of retrieving the vessel, including its toxic cargo.

During the 2012 impeachment trial of Supreme former Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, Congressman Barzaga was part of the House Prosecution panel. He was the secondary prosecutor for Article II Failed to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth as required under the constitution. He was the lead prosecutor for Article V Wanton arbitrariness and partiality in consistently disregarding the principle of res judicata in the cases involving the 16 newly-created cities, and the promotion of Dinagat Island into a province of the Articles of Impeachment. As member of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs, he participated in the hearings which sought to deal with the difficulties in implementing RA 9165 in recent drug cases particularly that which involved the Alabang Boys in order to determine the necessary legislative measures that have to be undertaken.

Despite his celebrity status, Congressman Elpidio Barzaga is very accessible. He may be reached through his official website; or through the Wikipedia which has an article about him; his curriculum vitae may be viewed on the House of Representatives website; and his facebook account contains abundant and timely status updates. In fact, he could even be spontaneous like on April 1, 2014 when he personally offered to help the author in producing the documents needed for this book.Barely a month later, his office called up with the information that these documents were ready for pick up. The following day, his chief-of-staff, Atty. Kristian G. Barzaga also called up to make sure these documents were received and inquired if more were needed. With proper coordination, an interview could be set with the Congressman. One was requested by the author on July 4, 2014. Again, his office confirmed it two days before the scheduled date. His official website reveals that before all these, Atty. Elpidio Pidi F. Barzaga, Jr. was a teacher and a successful practicing CPA-Lawyer before his first foray into public service in 1986 as the OIC-Municipal Mayor of Dasmarias. The following year Atty. Barzaga resumed his law practice as a trial lawyer and returned to the academe as a teacher and reviewer for the bar examinations. During the 1998 local elections, he ran and won as Municipal Mayor of Dasmarias.

According to his website, his tenure was marked with the municipalitys massive transformation into a first class suburbia. The website continued that for this reason he was overwhelmingly reelected as the municipal mayor for three consecutive terms. In extolling him the biography declared that those uninterrupted nine years as municipal mayor demonstrated Mayor Barzagas brilliance, unrelenting passion, and determination as a public servant. These exemplary attributes, it said, brought forth innumerable infrastructure, educational, cultural, civic, health and sports programs for the municipality that were never realized before by any of his predecessors.After his term as Mayor he ran for the position as representative of the second district of Cavite. His constituents and those in the district who heard of his accomplishments rewarded him with his first stint as their Congressman. He unseated the incumbent, Congressman Gilbert Remulla on July 1, 2007. In the House of Representatives, Congressman Barzaga was assigned to numerous house committees as either the vice-chairman or member. These committees were; the Committees on Constitutional Amendments, Local Government, and Revision of Laws and those of which he is a member namely the Committees on Appropriations, Civil Service and Professional Regulation, Good Government, Human Rights, Justice, Population and Family Relations, Public Works and Highways, Science and Technology, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Transportation, Veteran Affairs and Welfare and the Special Committee on Southern Tagalog Development.Congressman Barzaga has authored and sponsored several bills including an act converting the Municipality of Dasmarias into a component city; a resolution requesting an investigation into oil prices; a resolution requesting an investigation into bidding on updating the Subic Bay Freeport Zone master development plan; and a resolution requesting an investigation of environmental issues during the construction of a casino in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. In 2009, along with fellow representatives of Cavite Joseph Emilio Abaya and Jesus Crispin Remulla, Barzaga co-authored an act entitled The Cavite Congressional Reapportionment Act of 2009, bringing the representatives of Cavite from three to seven, and creating the legislative district of Dasmarias City.

In the 2010 congressional elections which followed the conversion of Dasmarias into a component city, he won via landslide victory against his closest opponent Ramon Campos of the Nacionalista Party. This win gave him the required mandate to represent solely his fellow Dasmarineos in the Philippine Congress.

When his alma mater the Far Eastern University celebrated its eighty years (80) founding anniversary in 2008, Congressman Barzaga was conferred the Outstanding Alumnus Award. The citation declared that the award was given to Congressman Barzaga for his continued service for the best interest of the people, for his passion for truth and justice, and for his advocacy to see that the common good prevail. He received two more prestigious awards in the same year; the Most Distinguished Bedan Award from the San Beda College and the Most Outstanding Congressman Award by the Congress Magazine.

Congressman Barzaga married Jennifer Austria Barzaga, a registered nurse, who bore him sons - Francisco, Elpidio III, and Lorenzo.

The Final Search for the Elusive CityhoodThe failures in 1997 and 2000 did not dampen the resolve of Dasmarineos to obtain for their beloved municipality the much sought after cityhood status that have twice eluded them. Recent unofficial surveys have shown that town residents were now willing to push forward with cityhood. By this time the municipal government had a new set of elected official led by Mayor Jennifer Austria-Barzaga, a registered nurse, an alumna of the De La Salle University-Dasmarias College of Nursing, and the wife of Congressman Barzaga. She holds the distinction of being the towns very first woman Mayor.The general opinion at that time was that the remarkable performance and good governance of former Mayor Pidi Barzaga, her husband, made her the popular choice to succeed him and that it was instrumental in winning for her the mayoralty race in the 2007 midterm elections by a large margin of votes. Her performance would later on prove her detractors wrong and naysayers alike for she would be bestowed good governance awards for herself and win three terms as the Municipal Mayor on her own merits.It is difficult for even the uninterested, like this author, to overlook Mayor Jenny Barzagas accomplishments. Her biographers claim that her performance as the City Mayor mirrored her profession for she nursed her constituents like a mother tending to the needs of her children. Her administration would be distinguished for her emphasis on women empowerment, healthcare and more benefits for the elderly and the disabled. For this she would be recognized with a Soroptomist Award in 2007 by the Soroptomist International; as the Most Outstanding Alumna of the De La Salle University-Dasmarias in 2008; a strong contender and finalist to the MERALCO Luminaries Award in 2012; was awarded the Department of Interior and Local Government with a Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2012; was first runner up in the Search For Most Outstanding City Mayor by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Office of the Philippines, Incorporated; and solidifying her stature as a genuine, hardworking and truthful public servant, she was recognized in December 2012 as one of the seven Most Outstanding Mayors in the Philippines 2012 by the Superbrands Marketing International, Incorporated.

Mayor Barzaga was not alone in working towards the goal of cityhood for Dasmarias. She had the all-out support from the members of the Sangguniang Bayan who were all new to their posts except for SB Member Teofilo B. Lara and former SB Member Valeriano S. Encabo who was now the towns newly-elected Vice Mayor. The new regular members of the Sangguniang Bayan were; Raul Rex D. Mangubat, Robin Chester J. Cantimbuhan, Gavino C. Mercado, Cecilio R. Dedace, Jr., Hermenegildo S. Mendoza, Napoleon F. Gonzales, and Francisco K. Barretto. The MCLB president, Teofilo F. Campano and President of the SK Federation, Lady Margaret L. Encabo also joined them in the town council.The cityhood proposal was taken up anew during 33rd regular session on August 19, 2008 of the municipal council. From the minutes of said meeting, it could be understood that the proposal was initiated by Congressman Pidi Barzaga. He asked for the passage by the Sangguniang Bayan of a resolution requesting him to sponsor a bill for the creation of Dasmarias as a city. He emphasized that the municipal council consider the resolution as urgent. So after having disposed of other matters in the agenda, the OIC-Secretary to the Sanggunian, Maureen R. Mendoza, informed the body of the Congressmans wish.

This was the cue that signaled SB Member Raul Rex D. Mangubat to present the resolution. He explained that the project of converting the municipality into a city is worth pursuing because it would hasten the towns growth and development. Dasmarias, he lamented, should have been a city a long time ago because it had been eligible to become one even during the first time it pursued the goal. He then moved for the suspension of the rules so that the resolution may be approved immediately.

Both motions presented by SBM Mangubat were approved. In the division of the house that followed, the resolution, Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 038-s-2008, which requested Congressman Elpidio Barzaga to sponsor a bill for the creation of Dasmarias as a city, was unanimously approved and passed. It was signed by the OIC-Secretary to the Sanggunian, Maureen R. Mendoza, attested and certified to be duly adopted by the Municipal Vice-Mayor and Presiding Officer of the municipal council, Hon. Valeriano S. Encabo, and finally approved and signed on August 29, 2008 by the Municipal Mayor Hon. Jennifer Austria-Barzaga.The new resolution recounted the passage of the cityhood project from September 28, 1995 when the Sangguniang Bayan passed Resolution No. 124-s-1995 requesting then Congressman Dragon to help lobby for the towns conversion into a city until its failure in the Philippine Senate. It was then revived with passage of SB Resolution No. 160-s-1999 on October 4, 1999 requesting Congressman Ayong Maliksis help, but this too failed, again, in the Senate. The project was revitalized in 2001 when the Sangguniang Bayan passed on October 16, 2001 Resolution No. 121-s-2001 which requested the Hon. Gilbert C. Remulla his help in sponsoring Dasmarias cityhood. This one never took off because Congressman Remulla never even bothered to reply to that resolution.

In justifying Bayan Resolution No. 038-s-2008, the Sangguniang Bayan explained that: even after a long and hard course during the past to attain Cityhood, the Municipality still strongly propels for its conversion as a City, especially with the occurrence and vigorous presence of its then Municipal Mayor Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. in the House of Representatives; considering the past and present status of the Municipality, Dasmarias is very much eligible for cityhood; in order to meet the growing demands of the people and to further improve the delivery of basic services, its status must be upgraded from municipality into a city; based on extensive research and study, the transformation of the Municipality into a City will greatly enhance the momentum of growth in terms of income, powers, prestige, and of course, service; by becoming a city, economic returns in terms of income will automatically increase even without raising or improving new taxes.

Back to the House of RepresentativesThe fourth attempt by the proponents to convert Dasmarias into a city was during the 4th Congress. It was convened after the 2007 general elections. That election resulted to the replacement of half of the Senate membership, and the entire membership of the House of Representatives. That year too was the celebration of the centennial year of the Philippine legislature which was first convened in 1907. The 4th Congress tenure ended with the 2010 general elections.Armed with the latest Sangguniang Bayan cityhood resolution, Congressman Barzaga had a bill drafted and filed on September 9, 2008. It was numbered House Bill No. 5087 and reproduced for distribution to the members of the Committee on Local Government. In the bills explanatory notes, Congressman Barzaga claimed that the Municipality of Dasmarias has come a long way from a once obscure agricultural municipality in the Province of Cavite to a burgeoning metropolis located at the outskirts of Metro Manila.At the time of the filing of the bill, Dasmarias was experiencing a dramatic change in the life and culture of its population. He maintained that, It is no longer the Dasmarias of rustic and rural character, but a Dasmarias that has all the amenities of a highly-urbanized city bustling with industrial and commercial establishments which can be found in other modern cities in the Philippines today.In seeking the conversion of Dasmarias to a component city, Congressman Barzaga explained that Having all these amenities of cosmopolitan living has however put tremendous pressure upon the Municipal Government to deliver basic services, not only to make every family living in Dasmariasto have a safe and pleasant stay in this burgeoning town. The conferment of cityhood status, and the accruing benefits from such conferment, will certainly enable the local government to effectively and adequately respond to the requirements of Dasmarias residents.The bill, aside from enabling the generation of resources to be able to fund every activity, project or program that will redound to the benefit of its own population, also aimed to enhance the local governments capability to sustain its momentum for growth and progress with the expected additional resources once it becomes a component city.

Having dealt with the first reading, House Bill No. 5087 was referred by the House Speaker to the Committee on Local Government for its evaluation and appropriate action.

The HOR Committee on Local Government

The Committee on Local Government, chaired by Congressman George P. Arnaiz, Representative of the 2nd District of Negros Oriental, took up House Bill No. 5087 during its meeting on September 24, 2008. Present during that committee hearing was a contingent from Dasmarias headed by Mayor Jenny Barzaga, eight regular members of the Dasmarias Sangguniang Bayan, the ABC President, and SB Secretary, Ms. Fe Javier.

During his sponsorship speech, Congressman Barzaga declared that based on the document submitted to the Committee, the Municipality of Dasmarias met the requirements for conversion into a city. These requirements being; a general average annual income of, at least 100 million for two consecutive years, and either of the following; a population of 150,000 residents or a land area of 100 square kilometers. For the last two (2) years, he continued, the Municipality of Dasmarias has a locally generated average annual income of P145,188,807.84. For the same period, its average income including the internal revenue allotment reached of P471,934,499.17. As to the other requirements, Congressman Barzaga reported that based on the latest census, certified by the National Statistics Office, the population of the municipality as of August 1, 2007, had reached 556,330.

Congressman Barzaga also announced that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite has approved the resolution, Annex H of the bill, showing their support for the conversion of the Municipality of Dasmarias into a city. He added that the Governor Ayong Maliksi and the Provincial Council of Cavite interposed no objection to the bill as shown by a certification that the Governor issued a certification to that effect. The certification was submitted to the Committee Secretary for its proper disposal.Congressman Barzaga proceeded to issue a manifestation for the record that House Bill No. 5087 was already the third attempt to convert the Municipality of Dasmarias into a city. The first was during the 10th Congress when Congressman Rene Dragon actually sponsored a similar bill which was docketed as House Bill No. 8931. The second attempt was tried by then Congressman Ayong Maliksi during the 11th Congress through House Bill No. 7478. Unfortunately both failed, suffering the same fate of not having been acted favorably by the Senate. The Congressman then prayed that the third attempt was a request, our esteemed colleagues, to act favorably, to consider this bill in this Committee hearing today.After the manifestation, Representative Victor F. Agbayani of the 2nd District of Pangasinan manifested his support for the Gentleman from Cavite, in view of the very scholarly presentationand the very thorough explanation that he has given in support of this House bill. He then moved that the Committee approve House Bill No. 5087. A chorus of voices seconded the motion.Before declaring the approval of the house bill, Congressman George P. Arnaiz the Committee Chairman, called on the invited guests who were invited to authenticate the certifications that were presented to the Committee. Ms. Ma. Solita C. Vergara, a statistician from the National Statistics Office certified to the correctness of the August 1, 2007 population of Dasmarias as 556,330. What followed was the authentication of the certification of issued by Ma. Presentacion R. Montesa, Executive Director of the Bureau of Local Government Finance that states:the average annual regular income of Dasmarias, Cavite for calendar years 2006 and 2007 based on 2000 constant prices, exclusive of IRA, special funds, transfer and non-recurring income [italics not mine] One Hundred Forty-Five Million One Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Seven Pesos & 84/100 (P145,188,807.84), which is above the minimum income requirement of P100,000,000.00 pursuant to RA 9009 amending Section 450 of R.A. 7160 (The Local Government Code of 1991) for the conversion of a municipality into a component city. After the authentication process, the Committee Chairman asked the body for any objections to the motion. Hearing none, he then declared the approval of House Bill No. 5087 which was an Act converting the Municipality of Dasmarias in the Province of Cavite into a component city to be known as the City of Dasmarias. Congressman Barzaga stood up and manifested the deepest gratitude of the local government officials of the Municipality of Dasmarias who were present during that Committee hearing.The Committee Report No. 1348 was prepared and submitted to the Bills and Index Division of the House of Representatives on October 3, 2008. This was in preparation of the bills presentation for the period of debates and amendments in the Houses plenary session. It was reproduced and submitted as House Bill No. 5258, in substitution of House Bill No. 5087. The amendment was carried out in the committee level in order to include of the names of committee members as co-authors of the bill. Like in the committee level, the proposed City Charter for Dasmarias breezed through the period of debates and amendments in the plenary session. It was approved by the House of Representatives without opposition and submitted to the Senate for their concurrence.Back to the Senate One More TimeCongressman Barzaga admitted that his being a member of the House of Representatives, and Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government have vastly enhanced the chances of House Bill No. 5258 in hurdling the obstacles in the lower house. The Senate was an altogether different matter. Over there, Congressman Barzaga, have to bring in bigger guns and more allies for the opposition, twice responsible for the rejection of Dasmarias City Charter bill in the past, was well-connected and well-entrenched (Barzaga 2014), and on this third attempt would once again rear its ugly head and try to block the Dasmarineos dream of cityhood anew.The document entitled History of Bills and Resolutions in the Senate Archives provides useful information for researchers because it contains the synopsis of the Senates action on a bill. In the case of House Bill No. 5258, it showed that it was filed on November 20, 2008. The first reading took place on November 25, 2008 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government which was at that time chaired by Senator Benigno Aquino III. Six month later, on May 28, 2009, the committee submitted its report, Committee Report No. 514, which recommended the bills approval without amendments. On June 2, 2009, it was calendared for Ordinary Business, which means that although it was not a priority bill it would nevertheless be presented for floor debates.

On August 19, 2009, the bill was moved for the Senates Special Order of Business for priority action. On that date the committee chairman, Senator Benigno S. Aquino III, delivered his sponsorship speech. The interpellation was undertaken by Senators Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., and Manuel A. Roxas II. During that session, Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri manifested his intention to become co-sponsor of this bill together with Senators; Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Joker P. Arroyo, Rodolfo G. Biazon, Richard J. Gordon, Gregorio B. Honasan II, Panfilo M. Lacson, Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Manuel A. Roxas II, and Juan Ponce Enrile. Senator Richard Gordon, for his part, requested on September 28, 2009 that he be made co-author of the bill.At this point, Congressman Barzaga was confident that the bill would pass the Senate as he was assured by the Senator Benigno Aquino III that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla would not oppose it. Senator Revilla was even quoted to have agreed that Dasmarias was eligible for cityhood. However, in the middle of the process, words came from Senator Estrada that Senator Bong Revilla changed his mind about supporting the bill and decided to oppose it like his father before him did. This is where Congressman Barzagas closeness to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proved helpful.

Upon hearing the sad news, Congressman Barzaga went to the Malacaang Palace to ask for her help in convincing the Senators to support Dasmarias cityhood. President Arroyo obliged and called then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile instructing him to convince Senator Estrada and Senator Revilla to cease and desist from opposing the proposed City Charter of Dasmarias.

Few days later, a notice came from Senator Revillas camp asking Congressman Pidi Barzaga and Mayor Jenny Barzaga to talk with the Senator. After discussions, husband and wife made the decision have Mayor Jenny Barzaga accept the Senators invitation, talk to him, and convince him to support Dasmarias cityhood. Congressman Barzaga would not be in attendance but he asked the Mayor to relay his message to Senator Revilla. Basically his message said that residents of Dasmarias will not take the Senators opposition to the towns drive to become a city sitting down. He swore that should Senator Revilla insist on blocking the bill, he would be constrained to take residents and lead them to a rally in front of the Philippine Senate. He said that they would bring along with them three huge coffins representing the three times that the Senate frustrated the municipalitys bid for cityhood. All three failures, he reminded the Senator, were caused by the Senators father and himself. The Dasmarineos have had enough of petty politics. In unity with them, Congressman vowed, to achieve what was truly deserve.

The meeting between Mayor Jennifer Barzaga and Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr., took place and obviously helped the cause of Dasmarineos. On September 28, 2009, the motion to close the period of interpellation and amendments was unanimously approved paving the way for the passage of House Bill No. 5258 on second reading without amendments. Copies of said bill were then distributed to all senators the following day and the schedule for the third reading was set on October 5, 2009. On that day, the senators voted for the approval of the bill with eighteen votes in favor, no one against, and zero abstention.

The approved bill was returned to the lower house on October 8, 2009 to determine if the House-approved version is compatible with that of the Senates, after which the enrolled form of the final version is printed. Since it was determined that no differences were needed to be reconciled, there was no need to call for a bicameral conference committee. After both the House of Representatives and the Senate have given final approval to a bill, a final copy of the bill, known as the enrolled bill, shall be printed, and certified as correct by the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the House of Representatives. After which, it will be signed by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President. The enrolled copies of HBN-5258, was received by the Senate for the signature of Senate Secretary Reyes and Senate President Enrile on October 14, 2009. On that very same day, it was transmitted to the House of Representatives for the signatures of the HOR Secretary General and the Speaker.The next day, on October 15, 2009, the final form of House Bill No. 5258 was submitted to Malacaang for the approval and signing into law by the President of the Philippine Republic which she did. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the bill into law and was henceforth referred to as Republic Act No. 9723. After the presidential approval, the bill was reproduced and copies of which were sent to the Official Gazette Office for publication and distribution to the implementing agencies. It was then included in the annual compilation of Acts and Resolutions.

Preparing for the Plebiscite

The plebiscite where the people of Dasmarias would ratify the City Charter was originally scheduled to coincide with the May 2010 elections. If that happened, the cityhood of Dasmarias would take effect in 2010 yet. The accountant in Congressman Barzaga didnt like the implication of that schedule because it would mean another missed opportunity for Dasmarias to earn the additional income of at least P300 million in IRA share for the year 2009. He decided that he needed to urge the Commission on Election to hold a separate plebiscite for Dasmarias within 2009. To achieve this, he should convince COMELEC Chairman Jose A. R. Melo of the urgency of his plan. Fortunately for him and the Dasmarineos Chairman Jose Melo, claiming of Cavite family roots, agreed to the recommendation. Having successfully maneuvered for the holding a plebiscite in 2009, Congressman Barzaga asked Chairman Melo to direct Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome J. Sinocruz, Jr., to study and submit a report for the proposal for an earlier ratification of the Dasmarias City Charter.On October 20, 2009, the Commission on Election en banc took up the matter in response to the October 19, 2009 memorandum (Sinocruz 2009) by Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome J. Sinocruz, Jr. In the said memorandum Director Sinocruz confirmed receipt of a copy of RA 9723 by his office on October 16, 2009, compliance to the requirements of publication on two (2) national newspapers, and the payment of the filing fee of P5,000. In view of these, his office recommended the approval of the conduct of the plebiscite on November 25, 2009.

An important attachment accompanied the memorandum. The document was a certification by the Municipal Budget Officer of Dasmarias; Cavite which stated that amount of P15,921,250.00 was available for the purpose. The earmarked amount was based on the statistical profile of Dasmarias electorates; seventy five (5) barangays; 268,939 registered voters as of April 20, 2009 ERB hearing; 2,057 established precincts; and 1,311 clustered precincts.

Having considered the findings of Deputy Commissioner Sinocruz, the Commission resolved to approve his recommendations subject to the remittance of the Dasmarias municipal government of the amount budgeted for the conduct of the plebiscite. The resolution was signed on October 20, 2009 by COMELEC Chairman Jose A. R. Melo and the six (6) Commissioners; Rene V. Sarmiento, Nicodemo T. Ferrer, Lucenito N. Tagle, Armando C. Velasco, Elias R. Yusoph, and Gregorio Y. Larrazabal with the instruction for Deputy Director Sinocruz to implement said operation (Commission on Elections 2009).On November 25, 2009, a total of 44,704 registered Dasmarineo voters trooped to 1,469 polling precincts in order to vote in the affirmative or in the negative on the question: Do you approve of the conversion of the Municipality of Dasmarias; Province of Cavite into a component city pursuant to Republic Act No. 9723 dated October 15, 2009?

The following day on November 26, 2009, the Plebiscite Municipal Board of Canvassers issued a certificate of canvass of votes and proclamation that there were thirty six thousand five hundred fifty nice (36,559) affirmative votes against eight thousand one hundred forty one (8,141) negative votes. The certification further stated that on the basis of the 36,559 majority of the votes cast in the entire Municipality of Dasmarias, the board of canvassers proclaimed that the conversion of the Municipality of Dasmarias into a component city was ratified and approved.

The Promises of Cityhood FulfilledIn order to gain their support, proponents of the cityhood project impressed upon the minds of Dasmarineos that once the conversion is attained, it would bring about more progress and development for Dasmarias because of the expected increase in its income. This increased income would in turn result to more efficient delivery of basic social services and improved infrastructures and equipment. More importantly, they insisted that this could be accomplished without raising the rates for real estate taxes.Congressman Barzaga intended to immediately fulfill these promises. He insisted in holding the plebiscite in 2009 because the Dasmarineos who have waited for the fulfillment of their dream of cityhood for twenty (20) years could no longer wait another year for the benefits they so rightly deserved.Although Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9723 expressly granted the newly-converted component city the authority to exercise the power to levy taxes, Section 63 of the same act forbade the Dasmarias City Sangguniang Panlungsod from legislating ordinances that would increase rates of taxation on real properties until 2014. Increased real estate taxes could, therefore, is ruled out as a source of its additional revenue for the newly-created city. However, Section 4 of the Charter and Section 151 of the Local Government Code of 1991 states that:

. . .the city, may levy the taxes, fees, and charges which the province or municipality may impose: Provided, however that the taxes, fees, and charges levied and collected by highly urbanized and independent component cities shall accrue to them and distributed in accordance with the provisions of this Code. The rates of taxes that the city may levy may exceed the maximum rates allowed for the province or municipality by not more than fifty percent (50%) except the rates of professional and amusement taxes [italics mine].

Armed with the knowledge of the above-mentioned Local Government Code provision, the newly-minted Sangguniang Panlungsod met on its 2nd Special Session on March 10, 2010. After the session, Tax Ordinance No. 01-s-2010, which was sponsored by SPM Raul Rex D. Mangubat, was passed. It declared that:

. . .taxes, fees, charges, and other impositions which were previously levied and collected by the Provincial Government from persons, properties, businesses, acts, and other matters within the jurisdiction of the City of Dasmarias shall now be collected by and for the City of Dasmarias, Cavite.

The list of these taxes, fees, and other impositions included: tax on real properties; tax on transfer of real property ownership; tax on the business of printing and publication; franchise tax; professional tax; amusement tax; annual fixed tax for every delivery truck or van of manufacturers or producers, wholesalers of, dealers, or retailers in, certain products; tax on sand, gravel, and other quarry resources; groundwater extraction tax; golfers environmental fees; Secretarys fees; and Mayors permit fees.

These taxes and the increased share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) became the source of additional income for the City. As promised, more infrastructure projects were put up by the city government in order to improve delivery of basic services. The construction of two hundred (200) classrooms in various public elementary and high schools were completed at the cost of P146 million became an important project. This amount did not include the cost for the repairs and renovations of various public school buildings. Another was the construction of one hundred and three (103) covered courts, each costing P5 million, all over the city for use on various sports and social activities.

The city government also caused the construction, repair, and improvement of 22 public Day Care Centers amounting to P9.2 million. Road shoulders were widened, improved, and lighted for a cost of P126.7 million. Sidewalk drainage were constructed, others rehabilitated and improved with the amount of P28.8 million. Another P38.5 million was spent for the repair, concreting, and asphalting of various city roads. For convenience and safety of commuters, waiting sheds were constructed at strategic location for the cost of P8.4 million.In order to avert the citys traffic problems from worsening, signs and safety devices in major thoroughfares were rehabilitated and improved. Some of these improvements were the installation of LED traffic lights at 9 major intersections which cost P22.6 million, the installation of 14 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras in major intersections, and the construction of lighted center islands planted with trees and ornamental plants. Bridges were constructed and repaired, so were pedestrian overpasses with PNP substations, and a footbridge with elevators.Part of the city governments cultural programs was the construction of its very own park. In line with this they had one constructed, a 3,964 square meter part for P8.4 million which they called the Dasmarias City Park. To make this landmark accessible even at night, lightings on all roads leading to it were either rehabilitated or installed.The citys education sector received a sizeable amount its various projects and activities beside the construction of infrastructures. The city government operated one hundred six (106) public day care centers which have already graduated 98,816 students. All these graduates enjoyed free matriculation and textbooks. It also hired and paid the salaries of ninety six (96) additional day care workers.A total of P34.5 million from local government funds was allocated to finance the education of various scholars which totaled one thousand three hundred nineteen (1,319) scholars. It also funded an Alternative Learning System for non-graduates of elementary and secondary educations.The city government had a city library, Aklatang Panlungsod ng Dasmarias constructed. It offers among others a Basic Computer Education Program for public high school students, Library Exposure Trip Program, Storytelling, Puppetry, Film Viewing, free arts and literature workshops, and Bahay Pag-asa Library Visitation Program. For children with special needs, the city operates the City of Dasmarias Center for Children with Special Needs at the DASCA Building. The additional income was also used to improve the delivery of health services for Dasmarineos. The city purchased and maintained ten (10) ambulances, twenty one (21) garbage trucks, two (2) street sweepers, and one (1) fire truck. It enabled the operation of an Animal Bite Center which was able to serve 15,970 Dasmarineos in 2010. The operation of a Public Drug Testing Center was made possible by the additional financial resources, and so were the annual anti-dengue, cervical and breast cancer, measles and tuberculosis campaigns. Medical and dental missions and feeding programs held at 75 barangays and public schools became regular offerings by the city health services units. Residents availed of free cataract screening and operation, free infant immunization, free eyeglasses, and free dentures. Even dog owners can now avail of services from the City Veterinarian that included free anti-rabies vaccination for dogs, free animal castration, and impounding of stray dogs.Residents can now purchase low-cost medicines from fifty four (54) Botica ng Barangay, and two (2) Botica ng Bayan. An additional ten thousand (10,000) of them have become card-carrying members of the Philhealth. The City Health Services department now operates the Dasmarias Lying-in Clinic, 24/7. Every barangay in the city had been assigned one (1) midwife each. Another P419.2 million was allotted by the city government for the construction of the Pagamutan ng Dasmarias, a 5-storey, 106-bed, fully air-conditioned tertiary public hospital.

In order to eliminate cases of bocha and ensure the delivery of fresh and healthy meat to its residents, they earmarked P78 million to construct the Dasmarias City Slaughter House. The city slaughter house is located in a one thousand two hundred forty one (1,241) location which was acquired by the city government at a cost of P8.1 million.Determined to improve the livelihood and employment conditions of its residents, the city government organized training sessions in food processing, baking, cosmetology, massage, candle-making, and soap-making. It also helped the plight of the citys farmers with the Tanim Lusog Program, financial assistance, and micro-entrepreneur livelihood exhibits. Mega Job Fairs were held in cooperation with two of the citys employers; the SM City Dasmarias and Robinsons Place Dasmarias. In 2011 alone, these malls provided employments to 3,584 job applicants from all over the metropolis. With more financial resources at their disposal, the city was able to regularly stage shows and programs aimed at highlighting the various talents of Dasmarineos, preserve its cultural legacies, and promote the socialization of city residents. Regular funding were allocated for the staging of; Saturday Cultural Shows at the City Quadrangle; Ginoo at Binibining Dasmarias; Ginoo at Binibining Sunduan; the commemoration of Dasmarias Day every 5th of October; the celebration of the Cityhood of Dasmarias every November 26 dubbed the Paru-paro Festival; the weeklong celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; various Christmas Parties for various social sectors; the Balikbayan Night; launching of the Dasmarias City mascots Das Sipag, Mar Dunong, Inas Sinop, and City Saya; and the live telecast of city events over the City Cable Channel.With a City Mayor who is also a sports enthusiast, the funding for a variety of sports activities was assured. There is in the City of Dasmarias an Annual Inter-Barangay Sports Tournament, the Summer Sports Clinic, the City Government Employees Sportsfest, the DAPSAA, the DIPSAA, and City Meet. Winners were selected during these sports events and sent to participate in the annual STCAA Meet.The Citys social services were likewise strengthened with the operation of the Bahay Kalinga Center for Children in Conflict with the Law. It had so far served one thousand forty one (1,041) delinquent minors housed in its premises. Senior citizens of the City enjoy free movie passes at SM Cinemas on Mondays and Tuesdays; get makeover sessions, ballroom dancing classes, monthly medical checkups, regular bingo socials, sports tournaments, and physical fitness exercises every Saturday. It has also a program for Persons with disabilities.Recently the city government inaugurated, in time for the 2014 Araw ng mga Kaluluwa festivities, the Panteon de Dasmarias. The project constructed niches in the public cemetery and was completed with the cost of P58.2 million. It aims objective to provide free memorial services to Dasmarineos.

A New Emblem for a Wider and Stronger Mission

The proclamation of the cityhood of Dasmarias on November 26, 2009 marked the transformation of the Citys official emblem. Although it retained the nine fundamental elements of the old municipal logo of the; the rising sun, the people/family, the laurel leaf, the people planting, the buildings, the church, the gear, and the housing, the new logo added new elements to mirror the underlying principles of the cityhood of Dasmarias.

The new city logo was executed by Ryan Suarez. His design was adjudged the winner in the City Logo Making Contest on May 31, 2010. The official emblem of the City symbolically stands to the intrinsic qualities of Dasmarias. It also conveys the City Governments wider vision of a city with a balance of all that exists; livability for its people which encompasses security, peace, order, comfort and convenience; access to education and enhancement of knowledge; open opportunities for employment and livelihood; holistic approaches in doing and attracting business; a rich cultural setting; lots of opportunities for physical exercise, leisure and recreational activities; and accessible and affordable primary healthcare institutions and services.

Notes Quismoro, Ellson A. and Charissa Luci, Petilla hit for lawyering for Meralco Manila Bulletin, December 29, 2013, http://www.mb.com.ph/petilla-hit-for-acting-as-legal-counsel-of-meralco/accessed November 2, 2014; Esguerra, Christian V., Govt moves to tie up Sulpicio assets Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 23, 2008, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080723-150117/Govt-moves-to-tie-up-Sulpicio-assets.

Official Website of Congressman Pidi Barzaga, Hearings, http://www.pidibarzaga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51; House of Representatives, Member Information, Elpidio Barzaga, Jr., http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/; Official Website of Congressman Pidi Barzaga, About Pidi, http://www.pidibarzaga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53/accesses October 20, 2014

Republic Act No. 9727, (2009).

Member Information: Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr.

Congressman Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr. and Mayor Jennifer Austria Barzaga were married on January 31, 1998. Facebook Account, Mayor Jennifer Austria-Barzaga, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayor-Jennifer-Austria-Barzaga/1411146509105832?sk=info/accessed October 30, 2014

Official Website of Congressman Pidi Barzaga, Pidi as Mayor. http://www.pidibarzaga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53/accesses October 20, 2014

Jennifer Barzaga, Resume, TMS (photocopy).

SBM Hermenegildo Mendoza was member of the Sangguniang Bayan during first attempt at cityhood in 1997, in the second attempt on 1998, and during the third in 2001. See, Figure 4.

Sangguniang Bayan of Dasmarias, Minutes of the 33rd regular session, 19 August 2008, (photocopy), 2.

Ibid. 3.

Sangguniang Bayan of Dasmarias, Resolution No. 121-s-2001, Resolution requesting the Hon. Gilbert Remulla, Congressman for the 2nd District of Cavite, to sponsor a bill for the creation of Dasmarias as a city, 16 October 2001, (photocopy), 1-2.

Explanatory Note of House Bill No. 5087, See, Philippine Congress, House of Representatives, an Act Converting the Municipality of Dasmarias in the Province of Cavite into a component city to be known as the City of Dasmarias, 14th Congress, 2nd Regular Session, House Bill No. 5087, (09 September 2008), (photocopy), 1-2.

House Bill No. 5087, Fact Sheet, photocopy

House of Representatives, Committee on Local Government, Minutes of Committee Meeting, (24 September 2008).

Ms. Ma. Solita C. Vergara, a statistician from the National Statistics Office, had been invited to authenticate and certify certifications that have been submitted to the Committee. See, Committee on Local Government, Minutes of Committee Meeting, (24 September 2008).

Ibid.

Bureau of Local Government Finance, Certification issued on the population of Dasmarias, (August 1, 2007), TMS (photocopy).

Senate of the Philippines, Legislative History, House Bill No. 5258, Second Regular Session, 14th Congress 2008. https://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=14&q=HBN-5258/accessed November 2, 2014.

Barzaga interview, July 4, 2014.

Ibid.

Commission on Elections, Minutes of the Regular En Banc Meeting, (October 20, 2009), (photocopy); The Commission on Election presented a budget estimate of P15,921,250 for plebiscite expenses in connection with the ratification of cityhood for Dasmarias. This was prepared by Ma. Isabel T. Salutim, the EFO-In-Charge and was noted by the Bartolome J. Sinocruz, Jr., the Deputy Executive Director for Operation, Annex B Budget Estimate. See, Ibid.

Commission on Elections, Certificate of Votes and Proclamation by the Plebiscite Municipal Board of Canvassers, (November 26, 2009, (photocopy).

Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dasmarias, Tax Ordinance No. 01-s-2010, (March 10, 2010), p. 2.

Ibid

pg. 27