2023 Cavite's 7th congressional district special election

A special election was held in Cavite's 7th congressional district on February 25, 2023, to fill the district's vacant seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines for the remainder of the 19th Congress.[1]

2023 Cavite's 7th congressional district special election
February 25, 2023 (2023-02-25)
Cavite's 7th congressional district
Turnout42.11%
 
BM. Crispin Diego Remulla (7th District of Cavite).jpg
3x4.svg
Candidate Crispin Diego Remulla Melencio De Sagun
Party NUP Independent
Popular vote 98,474 46,530
Percentage 66.68% 31.51%
Results per secondary-level local government unit
Remulla:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Representative before election

Jesus Crispin Remulla
NUP

 Representative-elect

Crispin Diego Remulla
NUP

The vacancy arose when Jesus Crispin Remulla, the district's representative, opted to not take his seat in the 19th Congress to serve as the Secretary of Justice in the administration of President Bongbong Marcos. As a response, the House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the Commission on Elections to hold a special election to fill the vacancy.[2]

Four candidates ran to fill the seat: Crispin Diego Remulla, an incumbent board member from the 7th district and a son of Jesus Crispin Remulla; Melencio "Jun" De Sagun, a former mayor of Trece Martires; and independents Jose Angelito Aguinaldo and Michael Angelo Santos.[3][4] Remulla won the election and succeeded his father.[5]

Electoral system
Main article: List of special elections in the Philippines

Each congressional district of the Philippines sends one representative to the House of Representatives. An election to the seat is via first-past-the-post, in which the candidate with the most votes, whether or not one has a majority, wins the seat. Based on Republic Act (RA) No. 6645, in order for a special election to take place, the seat must be vacated, the relevant chamber notifies the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) the existence of a vacancy, then the COMELEC schedules the special election. There is a dispute in the procedure as a subsequent law, RA No. 7166, supposedly amended the procedure, bypassing the need for official communication from the relevant chamber of the vacancy. The COMELEC has always waited on official communication from the relevant chamber before scheduling a special election.[6]

Meanwhile, according to RA No. 8295, should only one candidate file to run in the special election, the COMELEC will declare that candidate as the winner and will no longer hold the election.[7]

Background
See also: 2022 Philippine House of Representatives elections and Cavite's 7th congressional district
The 7th congressional district of Cavite

Cavite's 7th congressional district is composed of the province's de facto capital city of Trece Martires and the adjacent municipalities of Amadeo, Indang, and Tanza. The district's incumbent representative, Jesus Crispin Remulla, was unopposed in the 2022 general election, resulting in his reelection to a second term.[8] Remulla is part of a political dynasty in Cavite; his younger brother, Jonvic, is currently the province's governor since 2019 and previously from 2010 to 2016.[9] On May 23, 2022, Remulla was offered the position of Secretary of Justice under the incoming administration of then-president-elect Bongbong Marcos.[2] He accepted the position, resigning his rights to the seat before his term as a representative began in order to assume the office.[10]

Preparation

After the 19th Congress of the Philippines convened in late July, it passed a resolution urging the Commission on Elections to hold a special election to fill the vacancy.[2] Prior to the passing of the resolution, the commission stated that it was ready to hold a special election for the seat.[11] John Rex Laudiangco, the acting COMELEC spokesperson, stated that the special election is to be held in March 2023, should the 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections should continue as planned, otherwise it would be held in December 2022 or January 2023.[12] After the barangay elections were postponed to October 2023, COMELEC chairperson George Garcia stated that they will hold the election in February 2023.[13] Speaker Martin Romualdez (Leyte–1st) served as the district's caretaker while the seat was vacant.[14]

COMELEC Resolution No. 10848 set the timetable for the election.[15] The filing of candidacies began on December 5, 2022, and ended on the following day.[16] As multiple candidates were accepted by the commission, the election was conducted as scheduled. On election day, each precinct had at least ten voting machines.[17] The printing of ballots began on January 11, 2023.[18] It was reported that the commission set up four "technical hubs" as part of an "enhanced continuity plan" to ensure the fluidity of the elections. Laudiangco reported that each of the hubs “is capable of reconfiguring within one minute any secure digital (SD) card which may present issues”.[19] There were 365,184 eligible voters for the election.[20]

Candidates

A total of four persons filed to fill the vacant seat. Among the four, one is a member of the National Unity Party, and three are independents.[3]

The following have filed certificates of candidacies, formally notifying the commission that they are running.[21]

Campaign

The campaign period for the special election candidates began on January 26, 2023, and concluded on February 23, 2023.[16][4] Sagun launched his campaign by visiting four churches from the towns of Amadeo, Indang, Tanza, and Trece Matires.[24]

All candidates signed a peace covenant at the Diocesan Shrine of Saint Augustine in Tanza on January 31, pledging to commit to a "peaceful election".[25]

Sagun sued to disqualify Remulla days before the election, alleging public funds were used in his campaign. The commission clarified that a disqualification case does not remove that person from the ballot.[26][27] Remulla declined to comment on the petition, while his father had derided the petition as a "desperate measure" by Sagun. Nonetheless, the COMELEC has stated that the petition would "undergo the right process based on existing regulations.[28]

Results

The vote-counting for the election was done using an automated system. The COMELEC expected to proclaim a candidate as the winner in the morning following the election.[29] George Garcia, chairman of the Commission on Elections, is a registered voter in the district and voted at Indang.[30]

On February 26, COMELEC proclaimed Remulla as the winner, taking just over two-thirds of the vote, with a voter turnout of less than half of voters.[5]

2023 Cavite's 7th congressional district special election
Party Candidate Votes %
NUP Crispin Diego "Ping" Remulla 98,474 66.68%
Independent Melencio "Jun" De Sagun 46,530 31.51%
Independent Jose Angelito Aguinaldo 1,610 1.09%
Independent Michael Angelo Santos 1,068 0.72%
Valid ballots 147,682 98.73%
Invalid or blank votes 1,899 1.27%
Turnout 149,581 41.70%
NUP hold

Results per city and municipality

City/Municipality Aguinaldo De Sagun Remulla Santos Valid votes
Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Total RVs[31]  %
Amadeo 63 0.47 1,590 11.96 11,566 87.00 75 0.56 13,294 28,171 47.19
Indang 190 0.89 4,558 21.39 16,206 76.06 352 1.65 21,306 46,522 45.80
Tanza 962 1.53 23,040 36.53 38,734 61.41 335 0.53 63,071 159,950 39.43
Trece Martires 395 0.79 17,342 34.68 31,968 63.92 306 0.61 50,011 119,511 41.85
Total 1,610 1.09 46,530 31.51 98,474 66.68 1,068 0.72 147,682 354,154 41.70


Aftermath

The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections observed that while the administration of the election was orderly, paper jams were a common occurrence when voters fed their ballots to the voting machine, with voting machines shutting down also observed.[32] The Philippine National Police noted that the exercise was peaceful and orderly.[33] Meanwhile, George Garcia, chairman of the Commission on Elections, lamented the low voter turnout in the election.[34]

"To a certain extent, it is regrettable for government to spend so much funds and then have a low voter turnout. I hope in elections like this, our countrymen will realize that the Comelec spent government funds and that they have a corresponding duty to fulfill by voting."

— George Garcia, in a media interview[35]

Remulla was sworn into office at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on February 28, three days following the election.[36] Meanwhile, on March 16, the National Unity Party designated Abeng Remulla, Ping's brother, as his successor in the Cavite Provincial Board.[37]

2022 election result
2022 Philippine House of Representatives elections at Cavite's 7th district
Party Candidate Votes %
NUP Jesus Crispin Remulla 202,784 100.00%
Valid ballots 202,784 71.69%
Invalid or blank votes 80,065 28.31%
Total votes 282,849 100.00%
NUP hold

Prior special elections in Cavite
  • 1909 Cavite's at-large Philippine Assembly district special election
  • 1925 Cavite's at-large House of Representatives district special election
  • 1929 Cavite's at-large House of Representatives district special election

References
  1. Casilao, Joahna Lei (November 29, 2022). "Cavite 7th district special election set for February 2023". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  2. Galvez, Daphne (July 27, 2022). "House asks Comelec to fill district post left by Justice chief Remulla". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  3. Pantinio, Ferdinand (December 7, 2022). "4 bets file COCs for Cavite's 7th congressional district: Comelec". Philippine News Agency.
  4. Abrina, Dennis (2023-01-26). "Election period begins in Cavite 7th District". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  5. "Ping Remulla wins special congressional poll in Cavite to replace father". Rappler. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  6. Leon, Marguerite de (2022-10-30). "[OPINION] The special election of the 7th District of Cavite: A welcome development". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  7. "EXPLAINER. House Speaker Velasco might pick a caretaker for Raul del Mar's seat. Plague and cost-saving, for government and candidates, may be cited against special election". SUNSTAR. 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  8. "Unopposed Boying Remulla secures Congress seat". ABS-CBN News. 2022-05-10.
  9. "Political Dynasties 2022: Revillas now the largest in Cavite". Rappler. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  10. "Boying Remulla accepts Marcos' offer to head DOJ". CNN Philippines. 2022-05-23.
  11. Patinio, Ferdinand (May 23, 2022). "Comelec ready to hold special polls for Remulla post". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  12. "Comelec eyes holding of Cavite special polls in 2023". Manila Bulletin. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  13. Ombay, Giselle. "Comelec: Special automated elections in Cavite 7th district set for February 2023". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
  14. Galvez, Daphne (2022-07-26). "Speaker Romualdez becomes caretaker of Cavite's 7th district". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  15. "RESOLUTION NO. 10848" (PDF). COMELEC. October 5, 2022.
  16. Standard, Manila (2022-10-16). "Cavite 7th dist. special poll to be held on Feb. 25, 2023". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
  17. Abrina, Dennis (2022-12-08). "Cavite special poll a 4-cornered fight". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  18. "Comelec begins printing ballots for Cavite special elections". Manila Bulletin. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  19. Jr, Delfin T. Mallari (2023-02-25). "Comelec aims for unhampered special poll in Cavite's 7th district". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  20. "FAST FACTS: Cavite 7th District special election for post vacated by Remulla". Rappler. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  21. NORIEGA, RICHA (December 7, 2022). "Four aspirants file COC for Cavite 7th district special election". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  22. Abrina, Dennis (2022-10-20). "Comelec to hold special election in Cavite". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  23. Abrina, Dennis (2022-12-08). "Cavite special poll a 4-cornered fight". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  24. Standard, The (2023-01-26). "Ex-Trece Martires Mayor Sagun receives warm Caviteno welcome". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  25. "Poll bets for Cavite's 7th district join peace covenant signing - Journal News". 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  26. "Cavite polls orderly except for minor glitches of VCMs - Daily Tribune". 2023-02-25. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  27. Ramirez, Ed Amoroso,Robertzon. "PNP: Cavite special polls peaceful, orderly". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-04-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. "Ping Remulla wins special congressional poll in Cavite to replace father". RAPPLER. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  29. "Comelec eyes proclamation of new Cavite 7th district rep by Feb 26". Manila Bulletin. 2023-02-25. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  30. "Comelec chief: Cavite special polls peaceful so far". Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  31. Manabat, Johnson (January 4, 2023). "Comelec naghahanda na para sa special election sa Cavite". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  32. Baroña, Franco Jose C. (2023-02-25). "New Cavite representative proclaimed Sunday". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  33. Ramirez, Robertzon; Amoroso, Ed. "PNP: Cavite special polls peaceful, orderly". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  34. Mantaring, Jelo Ritzhie (February 25, 2023). "Only 42% of Cavite 7th district voters cast ballots to pick new representative". CNN Philippines.
  35. Mantaring, Jelo Ritzhie (February 25, 2023). "Only 42% of Cavite 7th district voters cast ballots to pick new representative". CNN Philippines.
  36. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (2023-02-28). "DOJ chief Remulla's son takes oath as Cavite representative". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  37. "NUP designated SOJ Remulla's son Abeng as Cavite board member — Gov. Jonvic". GMA News Online. 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
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