Isabela's 4th legislative district special election, 2003
Encyclopedia
A special election for Isabela's 4th district seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines
was held on May 12, 2003. Held due to the death of Antonio Abaya, Giorgidi Aggabao won the special election, beating Abaya's widow Asuncion, to succeed him in the House of Representatives.
As the Isabela Provincial Board passed the resolution urging the special election to be held, three people had been brought up as potential candidates. However, only Santiago mayor Jose Miranda (PDP-Laban) had declared his intention to run, relying on the support of Santiago and three other towns. Other potential candidates were former board member Giorgidi Aggabao, who had been beaten by Abaya in 2001 and was backed by Isabela governor Faustino Dy, Jr., and Asuncion Abaya, the late representative's widow, who is a medical doctor.
Later on, Miranda withdrew in favor of Dr. Abaya, who was considered to be the "sentimental favorite". Miranda's city of Santiago, the largest of the seven local government units in the district with about 60,000 votes, was expected to be the strongest source of votes for her. The mayors of the other towns all supported Aggabao, along with the Dy clan headed by the provincial governor.
Mayor Amado Vallejo, Jr. of two lawyers of the Abaya campaign who allegedly harassed poll watchers. According to unofficial counts, the towns of Echague
, Cordon
and Ramon
all went to Aggabao, while Santiago went for Abaya, with Aggabao possessing a large overall margin.
On May 14, 2003, Aggabao was declared winner by the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC). While the votes were being canvassed, Abaya's lawyers protested the process by walking out of the canvassing room. They alleged that some ballot boxes were switched on the trip from the polling places to the provincial capital of Ilagan
. The Abayas held their own canvassing at the People's Coliseum in Santiago, with Edwin Uy, the 2nd district representative, attending. The official results had Aggabao winning at Cordon
, San Isidro
, Jones
, San Agustin
, Ramon
and Echague
. Abaya won at Santiago by around 5,000 votes and at Dinapigue
by 62 votes. Aggabao was sworn into office by Governor Dy right after his proclamation. The tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a COMELEC-accredited watchdog, and Abaya's camp had Abaya winning by 4,969 votes. Abaya had 46,072 votes while Aggabao had 41,103 votes. Aggabao brushed off the accusations, saying that he did not raise a fuss when he was beaten in 1991 and 2001.
Sergio Utleg later issued a pastoral letter alleging the special election was the province's "most fraudulent". The pastoral letter was condemned by the provincial board to the "strongest terms" and demanded that the bishop reconsider it. The bishop said, "My pastoral letter, contrary to the claim of the provincial board members, was based on verified facts and testimonies of people involved in the special elections," and reiterated for the nullification of the election results. Election officers of San Isidro and San Agustin claimed that Abaya won in their towns, with San Isidro's vote count for Aggabao surpassing the number of votes cast. COMELEC Chairmen Benjamin Abalos
had formed a task force to investigate the alleged irregularities of the vote.
Aggabao is currently in his second term in Congress, after losing in 2004; he won in 2007, and successfully defended his seat on the 2010 election.
House of Representatives of the Philippines
The House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
was held on May 12, 2003. Held due to the death of Antonio Abaya, Giorgidi Aggabao won the special election, beating Abaya's widow Asuncion, to succeed him in the House of Representatives.
Campaign
Representative Antonio Abaya, who had representated the Isabela's 4th legislative district from 1987 to 1998, and since 2001, died on February 26, 2003. Abaya, who was term-limited in 1998, ran for mayor of Santiago but was beaten. He ran again for the seat (that includes Santiago) in 2001 and won.As the Isabela Provincial Board passed the resolution urging the special election to be held, three people had been brought up as potential candidates. However, only Santiago mayor Jose Miranda (PDP-Laban) had declared his intention to run, relying on the support of Santiago and three other towns. Other potential candidates were former board member Giorgidi Aggabao, who had been beaten by Abaya in 2001 and was backed by Isabela governor Faustino Dy, Jr., and Asuncion Abaya, the late representative's widow, who is a medical doctor.
Later on, Miranda withdrew in favor of Dr. Abaya, who was considered to be the "sentimental favorite". Miranda's city of Santiago, the largest of the seven local government units in the district with about 60,000 votes, was expected to be the strongest source of votes for her. The mayors of the other towns all supported Aggabao, along with the Dy clan headed by the provincial governor.
Result
On election day, people handling Miranda's security were shot by unidentified men riding in motorcycles. The incident was described by the city election officer as "election-related." Other disturbances included the confrontation of CordonCordon, Isabela
Cordon is a municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 38,139 people in 7,367 households. It is bounded by Santiago City to the north and west, Quirino Province to the South, and Nueva Viscaya to the east. Being the town nearest to...
Mayor Amado Vallejo, Jr. of two lawyers of the Abaya campaign who allegedly harassed poll watchers. According to unofficial counts, the towns of Echague
Echague, Isabela
Echague also referred to as the "Queen Town of Isabela" is a first class municipality under the fourth district province of Isabela, Philippines. It is 344 kilometers north of Metro Manila...
, Cordon
Cordon, Isabela
Cordon is a municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 38,139 people in 7,367 households. It is bounded by Santiago City to the north and west, Quirino Province to the South, and Nueva Viscaya to the east. Being the town nearest to...
and Ramon
Ramon, Isabela
Ramon is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 45,258 people in 8,376 households.Majority of its inhabitants derive their income from agriculture...
all went to Aggabao, while Santiago went for Abaya, with Aggabao possessing a large overall margin.
On May 14, 2003, Aggabao was declared winner by the Commission on Elections
Commission on Elections (Philippines)
The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, is one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, initiatives, referendums, and recalls....
(COMELEC). While the votes were being canvassed, Abaya's lawyers protested the process by walking out of the canvassing room. They alleged that some ballot boxes were switched on the trip from the polling places to the provincial capital of Ilagan
Ilagan, Isabela
Ilagan is a 1st-class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. It is the capital municipality and the largest town of Isabela...
. The Abayas held their own canvassing at the People's Coliseum in Santiago, with Edwin Uy, the 2nd district representative, attending. The official results had Aggabao winning at Cordon
Cordon, Isabela
Cordon is a municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 38,139 people in 7,367 households. It is bounded by Santiago City to the north and west, Quirino Province to the South, and Nueva Viscaya to the east. Being the town nearest to...
, San Isidro
San Isidro, Isabela
San Isidro is a 5th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 21,387 people in 3,910 households.-Barangays:San Isidro is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.* Camarag* Cebu...
, Jones
Jones, Isabela
Jones is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 41,237 people in 8,171 households.-History:...
, San Agustin
San Agustin, Isabela
San Agustin is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 20,681 people in 4,035 households.-Barangays:San Agustin is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.* Bautista...
, Ramon
Ramon, Isabela
Ramon is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 45,258 people in 8,376 households.Majority of its inhabitants derive their income from agriculture...
and Echague
Echague, Isabela
Echague also referred to as the "Queen Town of Isabela" is a first class municipality under the fourth district province of Isabela, Philippines. It is 344 kilometers north of Metro Manila...
. Abaya won at Santiago by around 5,000 votes and at Dinapigue
Dinapigue, Isabela
Dinapigue is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 4,807 people in 635 households. It is also called Dinapigui.-Barangays:...
by 62 votes. Aggabao was sworn into office by Governor Dy right after his proclamation. The tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a COMELEC-accredited watchdog, and Abaya's camp had Abaya winning by 4,969 votes. Abaya had 46,072 votes while Aggabao had 41,103 votes. Aggabao brushed off the accusations, saying that he did not raise a fuss when he was beaten in 1991 and 2001.
Aftermath
Ilagan BishopRoman Catholic Diocese of Ilagan
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilagan is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.Erected in 1970, the diocese is a suffragan of the Diocese of Tuguegarao....
Sergio Utleg later issued a pastoral letter alleging the special election was the province's "most fraudulent". The pastoral letter was condemned by the provincial board to the "strongest terms" and demanded that the bishop reconsider it. The bishop said, "My pastoral letter, contrary to the claim of the provincial board members, was based on verified facts and testimonies of people involved in the special elections," and reiterated for the nullification of the election results. Election officers of San Isidro and San Agustin claimed that Abaya won in their towns, with San Isidro's vote count for Aggabao surpassing the number of votes cast. COMELEC Chairmen Benjamin Abalos
Benjamin Abalos
Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr. is a politician and is a former chairman of the Philippine Commission on Election. He was also a MMDA Chairman and Mandaluyong City Mayor. He is the father of current Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr..-Early life:Benjamin Abalos was born into a poor...
had formed a task force to investigate the alleged irregularities of the vote.
Aggabao is currently in his second term in Congress, after losing in 2004; he won in 2007, and successfully defended his seat on the 2010 election.