2007 Philippine general election

Legislative and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 14, 2007 except for some areasTemplate:Mn. Positions being contested include half the seats in the Senate, which are elected for six-year terms, and all the seats in the House of Representatives, who are elected for three-year terms. The duly elected legislators of the 2007 elections will join the elected senators of the 2004 elections and will comprise the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Most representatives win seats by being elected directly, the constituency being a geographical district comprising of about 250,000 voters. There are 220 seats in total for all the legislative districts. There are also seats for organized representation of special minorities. Such representatives gain one seat for every 2% of the total number of votes in the national electorate, but are limited to three seats. Local elections for governor, vice governor, provincial board seats (provinces only) and mayoral, vice mayoral, and city/municipal council seats in Metro Manila and the provinces are up for grabs as well.

Official candidates

On March 19, 2007, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released Resolution No.7832 which finalized and approved the official candidates for the senatorial election. On March 24, 2007 the Commission on Elections certified 37 Senatorial Candidates: Joselito Pepito "Peter" Cayetano was declared a nuisance candidate by the COMELEC resolution on March 27, 2007 regarding the disqualification case (SPA 07-019) filed by Genuine Opposition Senatorial Candidate Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. COMELEC fully certified 36 of the original 37 candidates on March 29, 2007.

Political parties

Party name	Acronym	Founding year	Leader
Together Everyone Achieves More Unity (TEAM Unity)
Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino	KAMPI	1996	Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Chairman)
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino	LDP	1985	Edgardo Angara (Chairman)
Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats	Lakas-CMD	1991	Jose De Venecia
Nationalist People's Coalition	NPC	1991	Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr.
Philippine Democratic Socialist Party	PDSP	1973	Norberto Gonzalez
Genuine Opposition (GO)
Aksyon Demokratiko	AD	1997	Sonia Roco
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (Marcos Wing)	KBL	1978/2007	Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Liberal Party	LP	1945	Franklin Drilon
Nacionalista Party	NP	1907	Manuel Villar
Nationalist People's Coalition	NPC	1991	Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr.
Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan	PDP-LABAN	1984	Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino	PMP	1987	Joseph Estrada
United Opposition	UNO	2005	Jejomar Binay
Other Political Parties
Ang Kapatiran	AKP	2004	Nandy Pacheco (founder)
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (Lozano Wing)	KBL	1978/2007	Oliver Lozano
Philippine Green Republican Party	PGRP	2003	Felix Cantal

TEAM Unity

TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Unity is a coalition composed mostly of supporters and erstwhile critics of current Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. TEAM Unity seeks to take several Senate seats in oder to ensure the passage of President Arroyo's legislative programs and also to protect her from any impeachment attempts by the political opposition after the midterm elections.

Team Unity is composed by different major political parties in the country such as Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), and the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP).

The campaign team of TEAM Unity is headed by veteran political strategist Reli German (campaign manager), Tourism Secretary Ace Durano (spokesperson) and Ike Rodriguez (campaign director).

TEAM Unity has recently held its proclamation rally at the Cebu Coliseum last February 17.

• Michael Defensor - (Lakas-CMD) former Presidential Chief of Staff (2006-2007), former Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (2001-2006), former Head of National Housing Authority (2001), former Quezon City Representative (1995-1998; 1998-2001)

• Juan Miguel Zubiri - (Lakas-CMD), incumbent Representative (1998-2001; 2001-2004; 2004-2007) from the province of Bukidnon and author of the recently-approved Biofuels Act of 2006.

• Edgardo Angara - (LDP), incumbent Senator (1987-1992; 1992-1998; 2001-2007), former Executive Secretary, former Secretary of Agriculture, former President of University of the Philippines, current Chairman of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino

• Ralph Recto - (Lakas-CMD) incumbent Senator and author of the E-VAT Law (2001-2007), former Representative of Batangas (1992-1995; 1995-1998; 1998-2001), husband of Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto and younger brother of the incumbent Batangas Vice-Governor Ricky G. Recto (2001-2004; 2004-2007).

• Joker Arroyo - (KAMPI), incumbent Senator (2001-2007), former Representative (1992-1995; 1995-1998; 1998-2001) of Makati City, former Executive Secretary (1986-1987), former prosecutor of the impeachment trial of Pres. Joseph Estrada.

• Luis "Chavit" C. Singson - (Lakas-CMD) incumbent Governor of Ilocos Sur, Chairman of League of Provinces, lead witness of the impeachment trial of Pres. Joseph Estrada.

• Tito Sotto - (NPC), former Senator (1992-1998;1998-2004), actor, TV host and campaign manager of the former presidential candidate, the late Fernando Poe Jr. and the brother of the actor Vic Sotto

• Teresa Aquino-Oreta - (NPC), former Senator (1998-2004), former Representative (1987-1992; 1992-1995; 1995-1998) and sister of Benigno Aquino Jr.

• Prospero Pichay Jr. - (KAMPI) incumbent Representative of Surigao del Sur (1998-2001; 2001-2004; 2004-2007), Co-Chairman of Congressional Committee of Appointments.

• Vicente Magsaysay - (Lakas-CMD) incumbent Governor of Zambales and former 1992 vice-presidential candidate

• Jamalul Kiram III - (PDSP) Sultanate of Sulu (1986-Present)

• Cesar MontanoTemplate:Mn - (Lakas-CMD) industrial engineering graduate from Lyceum, award-winning movie and TV actor and director, and UNESCO commissioner

Template:Mnb Leyte governor Jericho Petilla filed his candidacy on February 12, 2007 but signified interest in withdrawing in the Senate race after his mother, Remedios decided not to run as governor of Leyte. Cesar Montano, an TV/movie actor, was chosen to replace Petilla according to spokesperson Ace Durano.

Genuine Opposition (GO)

The United Opposition Coalition was created by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay on June 2005 to unite all politicians who wish to impeach Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The UNO started scouting candidates for the Senate as early as October 2006 to claim a large share in the Senate seats. On January 2007, UNO started short listing its nominees after a large number interested personalities wanted to join the opposition. The UNO changed its name on February 12, 2007 at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila to "Grand and Broad Coalition" (GBC). On February 15, 2007 the group changed its named again to "Genuine Opposition" (GO) after a meeting with Senate President Manny Villar in his office in Las Piñas. Though Senate President Manny Villar and Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan are running under the Opposition, they remain independent candidates as in the 2001 election. On February 28, 2007, the Genuine Opposition dropped Francis Pangilinan as its Adopted Candidate.

The GO had its proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila on February 25, 2007.

• Loren Legarda - (NPC) former Vice Presidential candidate (2004) and former Senator (1998-2004)

• Panfilo Lacson - (Genuine Opposition) incumbent Senator (2001-2007), former Philippine National Police Chief (1998-2001) and former Presidential Candidate (2004)

• John Henry Osmeña - (Genuine Opposition) Former Senator (1971-1972; 1987-1992; 1992-1995; 1998-2004)

• Francis Escudero - (NPC) Sorsogon incumbent Representative (1998-2001; 2001-2004; 2004-2007)

• Alan Peter Cayetano - (Nacionalista) Taguig-Pateros incumbent Representative (1998-2001; 2001-2004; 2004-2007) and brother of incumbent Senator Pia Cayetano (2004-2010)

• Benigno Aquino III - (Liberal Party) Tarlac incumbent Representative (1998-2001; 2001-2004; 2004-2007) and son of former President Corazon Aquino and the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

• Aquilino Pimentel III - (PDP-LABAN) lawyer and son of incumbent Senator and former Minister/Secretary of Interior and Local Government Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (2004-2010)

• Sonia Roco - (Aksyon Demokratiko) widow of the late Senator and former Presidential candidate Raul Roco (1992-1995; 1995-2001) who died in 2005

• Antonio Trillanes IV - (Genuine Opposition) detained Military Officer (Lieutenant Senior Grade), Magdalo Leader

• Nikki Coseteng - (Independent) former Senator (1992-1995; 1995-2001) and former Representative (1987-1992)

• Manny Villar - (Nacionalista), incumbent Senator (2001-2007) and Senate President (2006-present), former Representative of Las Pinas City (1987-1992; 1995-1998; 1998-2001), former Speaker of the House (1998-2000)

Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL)

• Oliver Lozano - (KBL) Marcos loyalist, lawyer, author of the First Impeachment Complaint against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also known as the Lozano Complaint.

• Melchor Chavez - (KBL) radio announcer.

• Gen. Eduardo Orpilla (ret) - (KBL) retired PNP officer/businessman.

• Ruben Enciso - (KBL) journalist

• Victor Wood - (KBL) singer and entertainer best known during the 1970s.

• Antonio Estrella - (KBL) International Lawyer, Professor of Law at the Philippine Public Safety College-National Police College, International Civil Rights Lawyer Member of the International Bar Association, and a recipient of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Award of Excellence and Outstanding Service for Public Interest.
• Joselito Pepito "Peter" Cayetano - (KBL)

Muslim KBL Senatorial Candidate Mujahib Hashim was disqualified by the COMELEC in its Resolution No. 7832 because his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) says: Habib "Boggs" Hashim and not Mujahib Hashim which meant that his COC is unsubscribed and unsworn therefore was disqualified and declared a nuisance candidate. On regards to Joselito Pepito "Peter" Cayetano, he is declared a nuisance candidate after the resolution made by the COMELEC on March 27, 2007 on the disqualification case (SPA 07-019) filed by Genuine Opposition Senatorial Candidate Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Ang Kapatiran

• Zosimo Jesus Paredes II - Former executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement who resigned at the height of the Philippine government's perceived protection of convicted American rapist Daniel Smith after the latter's transfer of detention from the Makati City jail to the US Embassy compound. He is also the brother of Ducky and Jim Paredes.

• Dr. Martin Bautista - Gastroenterologist who had spent the last 17 years working in the United States. Last year, he went home for good with his wife and four daughters and was later convinced to run under the Ang Kapatiran ticket.

• Adrian Sison - Seasoned lawyer specializing in taxation and family law.

Philippine Green Republican Party

• Felix Cantal (PGRP)

Independents

• Richard Gomez - (Independent), actor

• Gregorio Honasan - (Independent) Senator (1995-1998; 1998-2001; 2001-2004), cashiered military officer (with the rank of Colonel)

• Francis Pangilinan (Liberal), incumbent Senator (2001-2007), Senate Majority Floor Leader (2001-present) (dropped as Adopted Candidate by the Genuine Opposition) and the husband of the actress and TV host Sharon Cuneta

Withdrawn official candidates

• Mario Ongkiko - (Independent/Ang Kapatiran) lawyer
• Jericho Petilla filed his candidacy on February 12, 2007 but signified interest in withdrawing in the Senate race after his mother, Remedios decided not to run as governor of Leyte. Cesar Montano was chosen to replace Petilla according to spokesperson Ace Durano.

Issues

Among the issues are the on-going efforts by the Administration and others to amend the Philippine Constitution to shift the country from an bicameral and presidential system to a unicameral and parliamentary system, and by the opposition to oust President Arroyo through various means. The opposition is this case includes the UNO as well as other groups and individuals not in the UNO. The UNO is now known as the GO (see above).

Campaign

Candidates continue to make use of different campaign platforms to win. Prospero Pichay, Manny Villar, Mike Defensor, and Loren Legarda have been very visible in TV ads. Kiko Pangilinan becomes an Independent after not participating in sortees and campaign of the Geniune Opposition. Tessie Aquino Oreta has raised different reactions in her TV ad campaign asking the people’s forgiveness being the “dancing queen” during the impeachment of deposed President Joseph Estrada. Some candidates like Chiz Escudero, Vic Magsaysay, Kiko Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes and Koko Pimentel made use of the internet by joining networks sites like Friendster; making or updating wikipedia entries, establishing blogs and websites and airing the commercials on You Tube.

Problems

After a month on the campaign trail, fiancial problems are hounding both the administration and opposition candidates. Team Unity senatorial bets Cesar Montano and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III are reportedly backing out of the race. Both of them said that they are not backing out of the race and its was just that they are having some financial problems. Likewise, Genuine Opposition campaign manager JV Ejercito said that their resources are already running out because only his father, deposed President Joseph Estrada is funding their campaign. Another problem for the GO is the frequent cancellation of their provincial sorties due to lack of local coordinators that will bring people into their rallies. During the day of the elections itself, it was reported that many voters' names were mixed up or removed from the registries at ballot stations, causing much consternation. It was also reported that several areas in Maguindanao were completely overrun by vote-buying, both on the local and national levels.

COMELEC issues

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is facing scrutiny because of the fire that hit its old building on March 11 resulting in speculations of conspiracies to cheat on the May 14 election [3]. The COMELEC is also being lambasted for publishing on the internet the names, addresses and details of registered voters.

Schedule for the election

• 13 February 2007: Official campaign started (NATIONAL).
• 30 March 2007: Official campaign started (LOCAL).
• 12 May 2007: Official campaign ended (LOCAL).
• 13 May 2007: Official campaign ended (NATIONAL).
• 14 April to 14 May 2007 - 15:00 (UTC) Philippine Time: Overseas Absentee Voting
• 13 May 2007: Prohibited Acts on the Eve of the Election Day
  • Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor in public.
  • Giving, accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value.
• 14 May 2007 - 07:00 to 15:00 (UTC): Election Day
• 15 May 2007: Exit polls are announced.

Election results

Senatorial elections

The following areas have designated to hold/postpone the elections or were designated as failure of elections:

Area	Action done by the COMELEC
Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte	hold elections
Two Barangays in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte	hold elections
Ten Precincts in Biñan, Laguna	hold elections
Pantar, Lanao del Norte	postpone elections
Barira, Shariff Kabunsuan	postpone elections
Basilan	postpone elections
Ten Municipalities in Lanao del Sur	failure of elections
Two Barangays in Lagayan, Abra	failure of elections

Though Joselito Pepito Cayetano was disqualified by the COMELEC as a nuisance candidate, he is given five days to file a motion for reconsideration in the Supreme Court and therefore is still a candidate. Votes Cayetano only are stray votes until the matter is settled.

Official COMELEC results for national results aren't expected to be completed until late May.

COMELEC count

Partial and official

Candidate		Party or alliance			Votes	%
	Loren Legarda	Genuine Opposition		Nationalist People's Coalition	18,501,734	62.72
	Francis Escudero	Genuine Opposition		Nationalist People's Coalition	18,265,307	61.92
	Panfilo Lacson	Genuine Opposition		United Opposition	15,509,188	52.58
	Manny Villar	Genuine Opposition		Nacionalista Party	15,338,412	52.00
	Francis Pangilinan	Liberal Party			14,534,678	49.27
	Benigno Aquino III	Genuine Opposition		Liberal Party	14,309,349	48.51
	Edgardo Angara	TEAM Unity		Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino	12,657,769	42.91
	Joker Arroyo	TEAM Unity		Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino	11,803,107	40.01
	Alan Peter Cayetano	Genuine Opposition		Nacionalista Party	11,787,679	39.96
	Gregorio Honasan	Independent			11,605,531	39.34
	Antonio Trillanes	Genuine Opposition		United Opposition	11,189,671	37.93
	Migz Zubiri	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	11,005,866	37.31
	Koko Pimentel	Genuine Opposition		PDP–Laban	10,987,347	37.25
	Ralph Recto	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	10,721,252	36.34
	Mike Defensor	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	9,938,995	33.69
	Prospero Pichay Jr.	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	9,798,622	33.22
	Sonia Roco	Genuine Opposition		Aksyon Demokratiko	8,457,748	28.67
	Cesar Montano	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	7,800,451	26.44
	Tito Sotto	TEAM Unity		Nationalist People's Coalition	7,638,361	25.89
	John Henry Osmeña	Genuine Opposition		United Opposition	7,267,048	24.64
	Vicente Magsaysay	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	6,357,905	21.55
	Nikki Coseteng	Genuine Opposition		Independent	5,274,682	17.88
	Tessie Aquino-Oreta	TEAM Unity		Nationalist People's Coalition	4,362,065	14.79
	Chavit Singson	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	4,353,644	14.76
	Richard Gomez	Independent			2,725,664	9.24
	Jamalul Kiram III	TEAM Unity		Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas	2,488,994	8.44
	Melchor Chavez	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			843,702	2.86
	Martin Bautista	Ang Kapatiran			761,165	2.58
	Zosimo Paredes	Ang Kapatiran			713,817	2.42
	Joselito Pepito Cayetano	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			510,366	1.73
	Adrian Sison	Ang Kapatiran			402,331	1.36
	Oliver Lozano	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			305,647	1.04
	Antonio Estrella	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			285,488	0.97
	Victor Wood	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			283,036	0.96
	Felix Cantal	Philippine Green Republican Party			123,608	0.42
	Eduardo Orpilla	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			107,532	0.36
	Ruben Enciso	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			100,523	0.34
Total					269,118,284	100.00
Total votes					29,498,660	–
Registered voters/turnout					43,104,362	68.44
Source: COMELEC

Exit polls

Partial and unofficial

Name	SWS	PULSEASIA
Angara, Edgardo
Aquino, Benigno Simeon III
Arroyo, Joker
Bautista, Martin
Cantal, Felix
Cayetano, Alan Peter
Chavez, Melchor
Coseteng, Anna Dominique
Defensor, Michael
Enciso, Ruben
Escudero, Francis
Estrella, Antonio
Gomez, Richard
Honasan, Gregorio
Kiram, Jamalul
Lacson, Panfilo
Legarda, Loren
Lozano, Oliver
Magsaysay, Vicente
Montano, Cesar
Oreta, Teresa
Orpilla, Eduardo
Osmena, John Henry
Pangilinan, Francis
Paredes, Zosimo Jesus II
Pichay, Prospero Jr.
Pimentel, Aquilino
Recto, Ralph
Roco, Sonia
Singson, Luis
Sison, Adrian
Sotto, Vicente III
Trillanes, Antonio IV
Villar, Manuel Jr.,
Wood, Victor N.
Zubiri, Juan Miguel

Quick counts

Coalition color key
	Ang Kapatiran
	Genuine Opposition
	Philippine Green Republican Party
	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
	TEAM Unity
	Independents

Partial and unofficial

	Name	Party	NAMFREL	PPCRV	ABS-CBN	GMA
	Angara, Edgardo	LDP			432,261	138,292
	Aquino, Benigno Simeon III	LP			317,078	189,461
	Arroyo, Joker	KAMPI			332,755	149,336
	Bautista, Martin	AP			44,350	14,852
	Cantal, Felix	PGRP			20,889	4,375
	Cayetano, Alan Peter	NP			360,716	151,903
	Cayetano, Joselito	KBL			28,838	9,441
	Chavez, Melchor	KBL			30,769	8,321
	Coseteng, Anna Dominique	Ind.			168,694	68,736
	Defensor, Michael	Lakas-CMD			243,503	106,356
	Enciso, Ruben	KBL			34,842	5,967
	Escudero, Francis	NPC			503,407	214,161
	Estrella, Antonio	KBL			32,137	5,530
	Gomez, Richard	Ind.			100,082	35,156
	Honasan, Gregorio	Ind.			320,181	128,861
	Kiram, Jamalul	PDSP			69,865	22,524
	Lacson, Panfilo	GO			447,614	181,607
	Legarda, Loren	NPC			474,470	197,728
	Lozano, Oliver	KBL			38,040	8,764
	Magsaysay, Vicente	Lakas-CMD			142,108	55,109
	Montano, Cesar	Lakas-CMD			163,298	62,267
	Oreta, Teresa	NPC			101,458	36,193
	Orpilla, Eduardo	KBL			32,928	5,430
	Osmeña, John Henry	GO			201,224	75,906
	Pangilinan, Francis	LP			401,427	169,924
	Paredes, Zosimo Jesus II	AP			52,091	16,084
	Pichay, Prospero Jr.	KAMPI			217,439	83,565
	Pimentel, Aquilino III	PDP-Laban			307,057	123,491
	Recto, Ralph	Lakas-CMD			276,912	113,364
	Roco, Sonia	AD			253,105	104,267
	Singson, Luis	Lakas-CMD			96,046	36,387
	Sison, Adrian	AP			38,542	11,493
	Sotto, Vicente III	NPC			187,337	78,565
	Trillanes, Antonio IV	GO			324,150	127,189
	Villar, Manuel Jr.	NP			404,153	169,837
	Wood, Victor N.	KBL			27,503	5,639
	Zubiri, Juan Miguel	Lakas-CMD			272,569	111,850

External links

• COMELEC - Official website of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
• Bagong Botante - the COMELEC's official voter education site
• Eleksyon 2007 - Election coverage by the Philippine Daily Inquirer
• Halalan 2007 - Election coverage by ABS-CBN
• PPCRV - Official website of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
• VForce - 1 Million Volunteers for Clean Elections (VForce)
• Eleksyon 2007 - Election coverage by GMA Network

See also

• 14th Congress of the Philippines