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2023 Negros Oriental's 3rd congressional district special election

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A special election would have been held in Negros Oriental's 3rd congressional district on December 9, 2023, to fill the district's vacant seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines for the remainder of the 19th Congress.

The vacancy arose when the House of Representatives expelled the incumbent, Arnolfo Teves Jr. Teves had refused to return to the country after being tagged as the mastermind behind the assassination of the governor of Negros Oriental, Roel Degamo.

The Commission on Elections, which had previously scheduled the election upon receiving a resolution from the House of Representatives that the seat was vacant, canceled the election after receiving another resolution from the House urging them to reconsider holding the election.

Electoral system

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Main article: List of special elections in the Philippines
Negros Oriental divided into its congressional districts; the 3rd district is the southernmost district.

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, 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.[1]

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.[2]

Background

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Arnolfo Teves Jr. defended his House seat in the May 2022 elections. His brother, then Bayawan mayor Pryde Henry Teves, defeated incumbent Roel Degamo for governor of Negros Oriental.[3] Degamo appealed his defeat, saying a third candidate, Ruel Degamo, caused confusion and took away his votes.[4]

In October 2022, the Commission on Elections disqualified Ruel Degamo, allocating his votes to the defeated governor, allowing the latter to emerge as the candidate with the highest number of votes.[5] The commission then proclaimed erstwhile governor Degamo as the actual winner.[6] Governor Teves sought relief from the Supreme Court,[7] but later relinquished the governorship later that month.[8] In February 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed Teves's petition, affirming Degamo's victory.[9]

On March 4, 2023, Degamo was assassinated by unknown assailants in his Pamplona residence.[10] Aside from Degamo, nine other people died in the attack.[11] Former members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were implicated in the attack.[12] Degamo's wife, Pamplona mayor Janice Degamo, said that the mastermind was "very known in the country today" but did not specify any name.[13] The arrested suspects implicated a certain "Cong Teves" as the mastermind.[14] In a privilege speech, TGP congressman Jose "Bong" Teves Jr. denied he was the "Cong Teves" mentioned, saying that while he shared the surname, his family hails from Catanduanes and not Negros.[15] Arnolfo Teves Jr. said that he could not be the mastermind, as he was undergoing stem cell treatments in the United States when the attack took place.[16] Teves was previously cleared to travel abroad for a "personal trip", and it was set to expire on March 9, 2023.[17]

On March 22, Teves was then unanimously suspended by the House of Representatives for 60 days;[18] then he refused to return to the Philippines, citing threats to his life.[19] In May 2023, Timor-Leste rejected Teves's request to seek political asylum in their country.[20] Speaker Martin Romualdez urged Teves to come home, threatening additional disciplinary action if he doesn't do so.[21] On another unanimous vote, he was then suspended for another 60 days.[22] On July, the Teves brothers were designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council.[23]

Teves was expelled by the House on August 16, 2023, for "continued pursuit of political asylum," "indecent behavior" and "continued absence",[24] becoming the first congressman to be expelled since the restoration of Congress in 1987.[25] Only three lawmakers, all from the Makabayan bloc, abstained from the otherwise unanimous vote, citing the inclusion in the House committee report of Teves being designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, of which its creation Makabayan opposes.[26] According House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco, Teves was the first legislator expelled without being convicted of a crime.[27] The House then declared Teves's seat as vacant, seeking for a special election.[28]

Later that month, the Department of Justice announced that they will file murder charges against Teves in a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) in relation to the Pamplona attack.[29] A Manila RTC then issued a warrant of arrest against Teves and nine others on early September.[30]

District profile

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Main article: Negros Oriental's 3rd congressional district

The district was created in the 1987, via an ordinance to the 1987 constitution;[31] since then, it has never been redistricted, and that it has emerged as a stronghold of the Teveses, with Margarito Teves serving from 1987 until 1998, Margarito's father Herminio serving from 1998 until 2007, Herminio's grandson Pryde Henry served from 2007 until 2016, then finally Pryde Henry's brother Arnolfo Jr. serving from 2016 until his expulsion in 2023.[32] All Teveses served three consecutive terms, the maximum allowed by the constitution.[33]

Preparation

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After the House resolution was passed, COMELEC earlier said that they would not be able to hold the special election concurrently with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October due to time constraints. Instead, they were planning to hold the election in December.[34] A week later, COMELEC announced that the special election would be on December 9, 2023, with the filing of candidacies from November 6 to 8.[35] The filing deadline would later be extended to November 11.[36]

COMELEC allocated ₱75 million for the conduct of the election.[37] There are a total of 301,264 registered voters in the district.[38] The provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center plans to extend the preparations for the barangay and SK elections to the special election. The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division, whose command area includes Negros Oriental, is ready to add more troops to the province if necessary.[39]

Candidates

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The Degamo family plans to field a candidate for the position. Pamplona mayor Janice Degamo said that they are looking for ways to field just one candidate so as to prevent vote-splitting. Degamo says they have two potential candidates, both cousins of the slain governor. The mayor had herself ruled out being one of the candidates. Meanwhile, Pryde Henry Teves was also eyeing the seat he formerly held from 2007 to 2016.[40]

The COMELEC has said that they are expecting mayor Degamo and former representative Teves to file their candidacies. Other potential candidates include Siaton mayor Fritz Diaz, and retired Philippine Navy colonel Reynaldo Lopez.[41] Degamo is the mayor of Pamplona, a town in the 2nd district; she may be beset with residency issues if she runs for the 3rd district seat.[42]

No one showed up on the first day of filing for candidacies on November 6. The COMELEC then extended the filing period, from November 8 to November 11. In case there are no candidates, the COMELEC will report this to the House of Representatives, which will then decide on what to do.[43] On November 7, Lopez filed his candidacy as an independent.[44] On the next day, Pryde Henry Teves and Bacong mayor Lenin Aviola filed their candidacies.[45]

Cancellation

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On November 8, the Commission on Elections received a resolution from the House of Representatives urging the former "to reconsider its resolution for the conduct of the special election." Later in the day, the commission canceled the special election. Aside from the House resolution, the COMELEC cited an ongoing case filed by Arnolfo Teves Jr. to the Supreme Court questioning his expulsion.[46] Manuel Sagarbarria Sr., the representative from the 2nd district and father of governor Manuel Sagarbarria Jr., authored the said resolution, citing the tense political climate in their province.[47]

Aftermath

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In the 2025 general election, Janice Degamo filed her candidacy for representative under Lakas–CMD. She is going up against Janice Teves Gaston, aunt of Teves, and Lopez, who is running as an independent. Pryde Henry Teves is running for governor under the Liberal Party, against incumbent governor Sagarbarria.[48]

2022 results

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2022 Philippine House of Representatives election in Negros Oriental's 3rd congressional district
CandidatePartyVotes%
Arnolfo Teves Jr.Nationalist People's Coalition91,48248.99
Reynaldo LopezNacionalista Party87,68446.96
Joan EstrellaPROMDI4,7792.56
Jocelyn EstrellaIndependent2,7791.49
Total186,724100.00
Valid votes186,72476.31
Invalid/blank votes57,97923.69
Total votes244,703100.00
Nationalist People's Coalition hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Leon, Marguerite de (October 30, 2022). "[OPINION] The special election of the 7th District of Cavite: A welcome development". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "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. November 18, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (May 11, 2022). "City mayors get new posts as NegOr's new governor, vice governor". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  4. ^ "Comelec proclaims new governor of Negros Oriental". INQUIRER.net. October 4, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Cheng, Willard (September 29, 2022). "Comelec annuls Teves election victory in Negros Oriental". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Cabristante, Raffy (October 3, 2022). "Degamo proclaimed winner in Negros Oriental gubernatorial race". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  7. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (October 5, 2022). "Teves continues as guv, tells DILG to wait for SC order". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (October 11, 2022). "Teves steps down as 'governor' of Negros Oriental". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "Press briefer". Supreme Court of the Philippines. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  10. ^ "Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo killed in attack". Rappler. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Pal, Alex (March 4, 2023). "Death toll in Negros Oriental shooting rises to 9; 14 others hurt". Inquirer.net. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Patag, Kristine Joy (March 21, 2023). "Remulla: Four new suspects in Degamo killing surrender". Philstar.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.Argosino, Faith (March 22, 2023). "10 suspects in Degamo killing now under police custody, says DILG chief". Inquirer.net. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  13. ^ "Mayor has idea on who masterminded Negros Oriental governor's slay". ABS-CBN News. March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Suspects say 'Cong Teves' ordered hit on Degamo". GMA News. March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  15. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (March 15, 2023). "TGP rep: I'm not the Teves linked to Degamo killing". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  16. ^ Vigilia, Wendell (March 20, 2023). "House to Teves: Show up today or face sanctions". Malaya Business Insights. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "LOOK: Teves' travel clearance says he should already be back in PH". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  18. ^ Leon, Dwight de (March 22, 2023). "Arnie Teves suspended: In rare move, House sanctions one of its own". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Chi, Cristina (April 17, 2023). "Teves still refuses to return to the country amid terrorist tag threat". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  20. ^ "Timor-Leste denies Teves' application for political asylum". CNN Philippines. May 9, 2023. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  21. ^ Leon, Dwight de (May 10, 2023). "Romualdez warns asylum seeker Teves of new sanction if he doesn't come home". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  22. ^ "House suspends Teves for another 60 days". cnn. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  23. ^ "Anti-Terrorism Council defends tagging Teves as terrorist". Rappler. August 1, 2023.
  24. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (August 16, 2023). "Teves expelled from House for indecent conduct, chronic absence". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  25. ^ De Leon, Dwight (August 16, 2023). "In historic first, House expels congressman Arnie Teves". Rappler. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Leon, Dwight de (August 17, 2023). "Why Makabayan lawmakers abstained from House vote to expel Teves". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  27. ^ "Rep. Teves expelled from House". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  28. ^ "House declares Teves seat vacant, seeks poll". The Manila Times. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  29. ^ Domingo, Katrina; Navallo, Mike (August 26, 2023). "Teves charged with Degamo murder in Manila court: DOJ". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  30. ^ "Manila court issues arrest warrant vs. Teves over Pamplona massacre". CNN Philippines. September 5, 2023. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  31. ^ Philippine Electoral Almanac: Revised and Expanded Edition. Manila: Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Office. 2015. ISBN 978-971-95551-6-2.
  32. ^ Bolledo, Jairo (March 12, 2023). "Who is Arnie Teves, Negros Oriental's 3rd District representative?". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  33. ^ Cruz, RG (August 21, 2023). "Arnie Teves: From self-confessed reformed drug user to expelled lawmaker". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  34. ^ Ombay, Giselle (August 23, 2023). "Comelec: Negros Oriental special election to fill Arnie Teves' seat likely in Dec. 2023". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  35. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (August 30, 2023). "Special election to replace Negros Oriental Rep. Teves set on Dec. 9". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  36. ^ "Comelec extends COC filing for Negros Oriental 3rd District special election". Rappler. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  37. ^ "Special election to replace ex-Negros Oriental Rep. Teves set for Dec. 9". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  38. ^ "Special polls to replace Teves set on December 9". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  39. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (August 31, 2023). "Comelec, security forces ready for 3rd district special polls". Philippine News Agency.
  40. ^ Domingo, Katrina (August 27, 2023). "Degamo family says to field candidate to replace Teves". ABS-CBN News.
  41. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (November 4, 2023). "Degamo-Teves battle looms in upcoming special congressional poll". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  42. ^ "Possible face-off between Henry Teves and Janice Degamo in Negros Oriental special polls?". cnn. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  43. ^ Tulad, Victoria (November 6, 2023). "COC filing for Negros Oriental special elections extended". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  44. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (November 7, 2023). "Degamo ally seeks 3rd district seat anew in Dec. 9 special polls". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  45. ^ Panti, Llanesca T. (November 8, 2023). "Arnie Teves' brother Pryde Henry files COC for Negros Oriental special polls". GMA News Online. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  46. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (November 8, 2023). "Comelec cancels Negros Oriental 3rd legislative district special elections". RAPPLER. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  47. ^ Banzuelo, Neil (November 8, 2023). "Negros Oriental polls canceled". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  48. ^ Gomez, Carla P.; Pal, Irma Faith (October 8, 2024). "Negros Oriental now under Comelec watch". Inquirer.net. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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  • COMELEC Resolution No. 10945, Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts in Connection With the December 9, 2023, Special Election in the 3rd Legislative District, Province of Negros Oriental
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