Philippine general election, 2007

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Legislative and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 14, 2007. Positions contested included half the seats in the Senate, which are elected for six-year terms, and all the seats in the House of Representatives, who were elected for three-year terms. The duly elected legislators of the 2007 elections joined the elected senators of the 2004 elections to comprise the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Most representatives won seats by being elected directly, the constituency being a geographical district of about 250,000 voters. There are 220 seats in total for all the legislative districts.

Some representatives were elected under a party-list system. Only parties representing marginalized groups were allowed to run in the party-list election. To gain one seat, a party must win 2% of the vote. No party-list party may have more than 3 seats. After the election, in a controversial decision, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) changed how it allocates the party-list seats. Under the new formula only one party will have the maximum 3 seats. It based its decision on a formula contained in a Supreme Court decision.

Local elections for governor, vice governor, provincial board seats and mayoral, vice mayoral and city/municipal council seats in Metro Manila and the provinces are up for grabs as well.

Issues in the elections

Automated elections

Sen. Richard J. Gordon and his fellow Senators succeeded in passing Republic Act No. 9369 or the Amending the Election Modernization Act but it was too late since it was passed three months before the elections but since the law was passed, the elections for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Governor and Vice-Governor later in August 2008 it will be used for the test-run for computerization and the general elections in 2010 for the nationwide computerization of elections.

Failure of elections

The following areas held special elections after the COMELEC designated the following areas as failure of elections:

Area Special Elections Date
Bayang, Lumbatan, Madalum, Binidayan, Pualas, Sultan Dumalondong, Lumba-Bayabao, Masiu, Kapai, Lumbayanague, Butig, Marogong and Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur May 26–27, 2007[1]
Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi June 20, 2007[2]
Indanan, Sulu
Barangay Pinagbayanan, Taysan, Batangas
Taraka, Tamparan, Marantao, Lumbaca-Unayan, Pagayawan, Tubaran, Ganassi and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur
Barira and Kabuntalan, Shariff Kabunsuan
Akbar and Sumisip, Basilan
Pantar, Lanao del Norte July 23, 2007
Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte July 26, 2007

Election results

Senate

Local elections

All local positions are disputed in the elections, with the candidate with the most number of votes for governor, vice-governor, mayor and vice-mayor being declared as the winner. Winners for the positions for board members and councilors depends on the size of the assembly.

See also

Sources

  • COMELEC - Official website of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
  • NAMFREL - Official website of National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL)
  • PPCRV - Official website of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
  • VForce - 1 Million Volunteers for Clean Elections (VForce)

Media websites

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