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By Cathy C. Yamsuan Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Senate on Thursday failed to approve a bill that would carve out the fourth district of Camarines Sur and name it Nueva Camarines, making efforts of Camarines Sur congressmen who launched an intense lobby for its approval in the chamber all for naught.

The measure triggered a word war between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday.

In his privileged speech on Wednesday, Trillanes decried the intense lobbying by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte to have the bill passed. The senator also said that former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose son is a congressman in Camarines Sur, lobbied with Enrile to pass the measure.

Part of his speech read: What, the great Senator Enrile could be pressured? I remember him saying otherwise, during the last impeachment proceedings? Is the pressure coming from Congressman Villafuerte, who we see often loitering about at the senators lounge, the Senate Presidents office, and even personally lobbying senators while we are in session?

Trillanes, a native of the province, said the plan was an unwise and risky move for us to take, and this will likely set a bad precedent for future lawmakers.

The bill should be passed on third and final reading, and signed into law by President Aquino before residents of Camarines Sur are asked in a plebiscite whether they agree to divide the province into two.

A yes vote obtained in the plebiscite would serve as the go-signal for politicians who want to run for local posts in the new province to file their certificates of candidacy from Oct. 1 to 5 as mandated by the Commission on Elections.

Congress has adjourned its session yesterday and will resume on Oct. 8, the Monday following the deadline for filing.

Excerpt from:
CamSur bill dead in wake of word war