2012 Negros Occidental's 5th congressional district special election

2012 Negros Occidental's 5th congressional district special election by-election Philippines Negros Occidental's 5th congressional district no Philippine House of Representatives elections in Western Visayas, 2010#5th District 2 2010 2013 Philippine House of Representatives elections 2013 2012 06 02 Alejandro Mirasol Alejandro Mirasol COC 2025.jpg 120 120 150 4 0 center Liberal Party (Philippines) 81,982 54.34 Dino Yulo Rep. Emilio Bernardino L. Yulo III (19th Congress).jpg 150 120 150 4 20 center Nacionalista Party 68,879 45.66 Representative Representative-elect Iggy Arroyo Lakas-Kampi-CMD Alejandro Mirasol Liberal Party (Philippines) A special election (known elsewhere as "by-elections") for Negros Occidental's 5th district seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines was on June 2, 2012. The special election was called after incumbent representative Iggy Arroyo died on January 26, 2012. Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol defeated Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Dino Yulo in the election and served out the remainder of Arroyo's unfinished term during the 15th Congress that expired on June 30, 2013. Electoral system List of special elections in the Philippines The House of Representatives is elected via parallel voting system, with 80% of seats elected from congressional districts, and 20% from the party-list system. Each district 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.IFES Election Guide Elections: Philippine House of Representatives 2025 General https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/4564/ 2026-02-08 www.electionguide.org 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 has been 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.Leon Marguerite de 2022-10-30 [OPINION] The special election of the 7th District of Cavite: A welcome development https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-special-elections-seventh-district-cavite-welcome-development/ 2023-09-01 RAPPLER en-US Meanwhile, according to RA No. 8295, should only one candidate file to run in the special election, the COMELEC would declare that candidate as the winner and no longer hold the election.2020-11-18 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. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1877294/cebu/local-news/explainer-house-speaker-velasco-might-pick-a-caretaker-for-raul-del-mars-seat-plague-and-cost-saving-for-government-and-candidates-may-be-cited-against-special-election 2023-09-01 SUNSTAR en Background Negros Occidental's 5th district consists of the city of Himamaylan and the municipalities of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana and Moises Padilla, all in the central portion of the province. Iggy Arroyo, brother-in-law of Pampanga representative and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was in his third and final term as representative of Negros Occidental's 5th district when he died on January 26, 2012, in London.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/134603/congressman-ignacio-arroyo-dies Congressman Ignacio Arroyo dies inquirer.net newsinfo.inquirer.net 2012-01-26 A House resolution was filed declaring the seat vacant to pave the way for a special election, although Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Negros Occidental Commission on Elections supervisor Jessie Suarez expressed reservations since the 2013 elections were just more than a year away.http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349535/iggys-post-caretaker-special-polls Iggy's Post: Caretaker, Special Polls? Charissa Luci The Manila Bulletin 2012-01-28 2012-04-14 Belmonte instead suggested of appointing a caretaker to attend to the projects in the district; representatives from the neighboring districts, Mercedes Alvarez (6th) and Jeffrey Ferrer (4th), expressed interest in serving as caretaker until a new representative has been elected. Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon also expressed reservations in continuing with the special election, while Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Melvin Ibañez had expressed interest in contesting the seat if an election would be held.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/137773/belmonte-no-special-polls-for-iggy%E2%80%99s-seat Belmonte: No special polls for Iggy's seat Cebu Daily News Inquirer.net 2012-02-01 2012-04-14 On February 29, Belmonte, together with Negros Occidental representatives Alfredo Marañon III, Albee Benitez, Mercedes Alvarez and Julio Ledesma IV, filed a House resolution calling for a special election.http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/249828/news/regions/belmonte-calls-for-special-polls-in-iggys-negros-occidental-district Belmonte calls for special polls in Iggy's Negros Occidental district GMA News Online 2012-02-29 2012-04-14 On March 14, the House of Representatives passed the resolution approving the special election; the commission would have to schedule the date of the election. Possible candidates that were running include Arroyo's sister Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca (former representative of Ang Kasangga party-list), Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and Board Member Dino Yulo.http://www.ndb-online.com/031512/local-news/local-news-lower-house-oks-special-election-iggy%E2%80%99s-district https://archive.today/20120907033422/http://www.ndb-online.com/031512/local-news/local-news-lower-house-oks-special-election-iggy%E2%80%99s-district usurped 2012-09-07 Local News: Lower House OKs Special Election in Iggy's District Danny Dangcalan Negros Daily Bulletin 2012-03-15 2012-04-14 The next night, the commission scheduled the special election on June 9. Benitez also announced that the United Negros Alliance (UNA), the province's dominant political party, would decide on who they nominate for the vacant seat, with Benitez adding that the ruling Liberal Party has yet to state its preference among local politicians.http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/03/16/comelec-okays-5th-district-special-polls-211528 Comelec okays 5th district special polls Carla N. Canet Teresa Ellera SunStar Bacolod 2012-03-16 2012-04-14 2015-11-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124152728/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/03/16/comelec-okays-5th-district-special-polls-211528 dead Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said that the commission would just waste money on the special election, saying that money could have been better spent on basic services in the district.http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/24754-special-polls-in-iggys-district-waste-of-moneylawyer Special polls in Iggy's district waste of money–lawyer Claudeth Mocon Business Mirror 2012-03-19 2012-04-14 dead https://archive.today/20120726104642/http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/24754-special-polls-in-iggys-district-waste-of-moneylawyer 2012-07-26 The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) described the decision of holding the special election as "highly unconscionable" and a "total waste", stating that four months after election day, the filing of candidacies for the 2013 election would have had begun.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/166631/special-election-of-iggy-arroyo%E2%80%99s-replacement-a-waste-says-poll-watchdog Special election of Iggy Arroyo's replacement a waste, says poll watchdog Philip C. Tubeza Philippine Daily Inquirer 2012-03-24 2012-04-14 The UNA meeting on March 24 ended in a stalemate as Mirasol and Yulo, his nephew, disagreed on how the nomination process would be conducted; Yulo wanted a ballot where the choice would be ticked, while Mirasol wanted a ballot where one has to write the name of the preferred nominee. There were also allegations of "grease money" distributed prior to the convention that led to Yulo calling off the convention.Carla N. Canet Teresa Ellera 2012-03-24 Political party convention results in deadlock http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/03/24/political-party-convention-results-deadlock-212952 2012-04-14 SunStar Bacolod 2012-03-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20120330033348/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/03/24/political-party-convention-results-deadlock-212952 dead On March 27, Arroyo-Lesaca announced that she would not contest the election, while UNA would meet anew to decide on who among Mirasol and Ibañez would be their nominee; Mirasol was the frontrunner after being perceived to be the candidate by the Benigno Aquino III's administration.Gomez Carla 2012-03-27 Iggy's sis confirms won't run anymore http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/March/27/topstory3.htm 2012-04-14 Visayan Daily Star 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054729/http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/March/27/topstory3.htm dead Later that week, Ibañez withdrew from the contest in favor of Mirasol; the latter was later seen as UNA's presumptive nominee. If Mirasol was not nominated by UNA, Grace Ibuna, Arroyo's longtime partner, would run. Other prospective candidates include former board member Enrique Montilla, a nephew of Arroyo-Lesaca, and former Isabela mayor Renato Malabor.2012-03-30 PB Member Ibañez withdraws stake to run in Negros special elections http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=792589&publicationSubCategoryId=530 https://archive.today/20120908105801/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=792589&publicationSubCategoryId=530 dead September 8, 2012 2012-04-14 The Freeman Philstar.com On a resolution dated March 28, the commission set the election on June 2, with a budget of more than 21 million pesos.Gomez Carla 2012-03-29 Comelec okays P21.6M for 5th district June 2 polls http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/March/30/topstory4.htm 2012-04-14 Visayan Daily Star 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054420/http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/March/30/topstory4.htm dead In a UNA caucus in Bacolod that April, it was decided that Mirasol would be their nominee for the special election. The governor, vice governor, the five other representatives, and all mayors in the 5th district gave their support to Mirasol. Only Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, who was not present at the caucus, did not support Mirasol, instead endorsing Yulo. Ibuna expressed joy in Mirasol's nomination and supported him. Benitez also recruited Mirasol, a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) to the Liberal Party, although he said that the Liberals would support Mirasol even though he would not join them.Gomez Carla 2012-04-02 Mirasol gets formidable backing, Yulo won't quit http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/April/02/topstory1.htm 2012-04-14 Visayan Daily Star 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052248/http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/April/02/topstory1.htm dead Yulo said that he would not withdraw from the election. This came as Yulo allegedly gave way to Arroyo in the 2010 election after being talked to by Mirasol. Yulo denied that Benitez was offering him to be included in 1DSWD's nominees in the 2013 party-list election to give way for Mirasol, and that he was not interested if ever he was offered. He admitted that while he won't match the financial resources of UNA and he only has the support of his cousin Mayor Bascon, he was not intimidated.Yasa Dolly 2012-04-02 Yulo: My candidacy in 5th dist. special polls is non- negotiable http://www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news-2/9665-yulo-my-candidacy-in-5th-dist-special-polls-is-non-negotiable dead https://archive.today/20130222113031/http://www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news-2/9665-yulo-my-candidacy-in-5th-dist-special-polls-is-non-negotiable February 22, 2013 2012-04-14 The Daily Guardian On April 20, Macalintal and fellow lawyer Antonio Carlos Bautista questioned the legality of the special election "because it will be held beyond the period as provided for by law." They argued that since Arroyo died on January 25, and that a special election "shall be called and held not earlier than 60 days nor longer than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy," the period of time when the election can be held was between March 25 and April 25.2012-04-20 Lawyers contest Comelec move to call special polls for Ignacio Arroyo's seat http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/179543/lawyers-contest-comelec-move-to-call-special-polls-for-ignacio-arroyo%E2%80%99s-seat 2012-04-22 Philippine Daily Inquirer Mirasol defected to the Liberal Party of President Aquino on May 5, along with his vice mayor and councilors, although he remained as a UNA member. As a result, Mirasol, who had previously been a Liberal in 1988 but joined the NPC after the Liberals disappeared from the province, got the endorsement of President Aquino.Gomez Carla 2012-05-07 PNoy endorsing Mirasol http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/May/07/topstory10.htm 2012-05-08 Visayan Daily Star 2012-05-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20120517030040/http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/May/07/topstory10.htm dead Former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar, wife of Nacionalista party president and senator Manny Villar, announced they were supporting Yulo's candidacy.Ellera Teresa 2012-05-07 Comelec okays 5th district special polls http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/05/07/aquino-supports-binalbagan-mayor-5th-district-special-polls-220154 2012-05-08 Sunstar Bacolod District profile thumb|The 5th congressional district in Negros Occidental. Negros Occidental's 5th congressional district The 5th district of Negros Occidental is located on its south-central portion, centered on Himamaylan. After defeating the incumbent Jose Apolinario Lozada in the 2004 elections,Canet Carla N. 2018-08-01 Jun Lozada passes away https://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/jun-lozada-passes-away 2026-04-07 SunStar Publishing Inc. en Iggy Arroyo, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's brother-in-law, held the district until his death in 2012.INQUIRER.net 2012-01-27 Rep. Ignacio Arroyo dies in London; 61 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/134849/rep-ignacio-arroyo-dies-in-london-61 2026-04-07 INQUIRER.net en Candidates Alejandro Mirasol (Liberal), mayor of Binalbagan Dino Yulo (Nacionalista), Negros Occidental Provincial Board member from the 5th district Campaign The two candidates submitted their certificates of candidacies on May 16; Yulo went to the provincial elections office in the morning accompanied by his family, including Himamaylan mayor Bascon, where they handed out lollipops, while Mirasol submitted his certificate on the afternoon with the UNA officials. The two filed leaves of absence from their posts until the election period was over. To counter Mirasol's logistical advantage, Yulo relied on his "lollipop campaign," where he distributed lollipops on the campaign trail, which had worked for him in previous elections.http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/May/17/topstory1.htm Show of force for Mirasol, lollipop campaign for Yulo AS 5TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE KICKS OFF Carla Gomez Visayan Daily Star 2012-05-17 2012-05-19 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000653/http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/May/17/topstory1.htm dead Mirasol and Yulo signed a peace covenant pledging a peaceful election and denouncing the use of violence. The local government also promised that the police and military would be neutral in the election.http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/05/29/mirasol-yulo-ink-peace-covenant-223992 Mirasol, Yulo ink peace covenant Sunstar Bacolod Teresa Ellera 2012-05-29 2012-06-02 On the eve of the election, both campaigns predicted victory; Governor Marañon hosted a rally at the Valeriano Gatuslao gym in Himamaylan for Mirasol, while Yulo ended the campaign on the road.http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/June/01/topstory1.htm Both sides see victory in election tomorrow Carla Gomez Visayan Daily Star 2012-06-01 2012-06-02 2012-06-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20120606041640/http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/June/01/topstory1.htm dead Results 2012 Negros Occidental's 5th congressional district special election Alejandro Mirasol Liberal Party 81982 Dino Yulo Nacionalista Party 68879 150861 750 73.41 13103 8.69 Liberal Party gain from Lakas Kampi CMD http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/205999/aquino-candidate-wins-in-iloilo-special-polls Aquino candidate wins in Iloilo special polls Carla P. Gomez Philippine Daily Inquirer 2012-06-03 2012-06-03 Per municipality Municipality Mirasol Yulo Percent of valid votes Liberal Party (Philippines) Nacionalista PartyBinalbagan 18,8213,66614.91%Himamaylan 15,12521,91624.55%Hinigaran 15,25015,43520.34%Isabela 10,85310,55314.19%La Castellana 14,07010,10416.02%Moises Padilla 7,8637,2059.99%5th district of Negros Occidental 81,98268,879100% The provincial board of canvassers declared Mirasol as the winner at 6:45 a.m. of June 3 at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod. Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes, who had supervised the election, said that the election "was very peaceful, quiet and orderly. The weather did not cooperate but we still had a very good voters turnout at 73.41 percent." Mirasol won in Binalbagan, Isabela and La Castellana. Aftermath Mirasol again defeated Yulo in the 2013 general election,Dangcalan Danny B. Is the "Danding magic" in Negros Occ waning? https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/region/2013/05/17/943063/danding-magic-negros-occ-waning 2022-08-22 Philstar.com and in 2016.Starchild Mirasol wins over Yulo for 3rd time https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/region/2016/05/18/1584365/mirasol-wins-over-yulo-3rd-time 2022-08-22 Philstar.com In 2019, Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca sought the district's seat. Because of this, Mirasol said that he would run as mayor of Binalbagan again, and endorsed Arroyo-Lesaca instead of running against her.Ellera Teresa D. 2018-10-05 5th district solon endorses GMA's sis-in-law as his successor https://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/5th-district-solon-endorses-gmas-sis-in-law-as-his-successor- 2026-02-18 SunStar Publishing Inc. en She was elected unopposed.Dangcalan Danny B. Is the "Danding magic" in Negros Occ waning? https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/region/2013/05/17/943063/danding-magic-negros-occ-waning 2022-08-22 Philstar.com Arroyo-Lesaca was then defeated in 2022 by Yulo, who finally clinched the seat.Gomez Carla P. 2022-05-10 Rep. Marilou Arroyo concedes to rival in NegOr congressional race https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1595747/rep-marilou-arroyo-concedes-to-rival-in-negor-congressional-race 2022-08-22 INQUIRER.net en Yulo defended the seat in 2025.Gomez Carla jcristobal 2025-05-14 Negros Occidental gov, vice gov, reps, board members winners proclaimed https://www.inquirer.net/443570/negros-occidental-gov-vice-gov-reps-board-members-winners-proclaimed/ 2025-05-25 Inquirer.net en Mirasol, who had then become mayor of Binalbagan since 2019, was defeated in 2025.Guadalquiver Nanette 2025-05-16 Losing NegOcc mayoral bets gracious in defeat, upbeat on progress https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250289 2025-05-25 Philippine News Agency en 2010 election result 2010 Philippine House of Representatives election at Negros Occidental's 5th district Iggy Arroyo Lakas Kampi CMD 117894 Rodolfo Magalona Independent 16945 134839 35932 100949 74.87 Lakas Kampi CMD hold References 2 External links COMELEC Resolution No. 9400 Category:2012 elections in the Philippines Category:Special elections to the Congress of the Philippines Category:Politics of Negros Occidental