2011 Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional district special election

2011 special election at Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional district presidential Philippines Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional districtTriggered by resignation of the incumbent no Philippine House of Representatives elections in the Ilocos Region, 2010#1st District 2010 2013 Philippine House of Representatives elections 2013 May 28, 2011 Trandy Baterina 3x4.svg Liberal Party (Philippines) 30,445 29.72 Ryan Luis Singson Ryan Luis Singson.jpg Biled Party 71,995 70.28 Representative Representative-elect Ronald Singson Lakas-Kampi-CMD Ryan Luis Singson Biled Party A special election for Ilocos Sur's 1st district seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines was held on May 28, 2011, to fill the district's vacant seat for the remainder of the 15th Congress. The special election was called after incumbent representative Ronald Singson resigned on March 7, 2011, after being convicted of drug possession by the Wan Chai District Court in Hong Kong. Vigan vice mayor Ryan Luis Singson, the former representative's brother, won the election and served the remainder of his brother's term, which ended 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 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.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 will declare that candidate as the winner and will 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 Incumbent representative Ronald Singson of Lakas Kampi CMD won the general election on May 10, 2010. His term began on June 30, but he was arrested in Hong Kong on July 11, a few days before the 15th Congress convened, for trafficking of illegal drugs.http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100730-283975/RP-consulate-helpless-in-Ronald-Singson-drug-case-in-HK RP consulate helpless in Ronald Singson drug case in HK Cynthia Balana 2011-07-30 Philippine Daily Inquirer 2011-05-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20100801211250/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100730-283975/RP-consulate-helpless-in-Ronald-Singson-drug-case-in-HK 2010-08-01 dead Singson was convicted on a lesser charge of drug possession on February 25, 2011,http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=660708&publicationSubCategoryId=63 https://archive.today/20120906205339/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=660708&publicationSubCategoryId=63 dead 2012-09-06 Singson sentenced to 1 year, 6 months in HK prison Carina Roncesvalles 2011-02-25 Philippine Star 2011-05-28 and resigned the next month, which was accepted by the Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110308-324109/House-accepts-Singsons-resignation-fills-1-Utak-seat House accepts Singson's resignation, fills 1-Utak seat Gil C. Jr. Cabacungan 2011-03-08 Philippine Daily Inquirer 2011-05-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310173253/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110308-324109/House-accepts-Singsons-resignation-fills-1-Utak-seat 2011-03-10 dead The Commission on Elections set the election on May 28, 2011, Saturday. The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy was from May 9 to 13, and the campaign period would be from May 14 to 26. Unlike the general election, the special election will be conducted manually.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/05/11/ilocos-sur-special-polls-set-may-28 Ilocos Sur special polls set May 28 2011-04-05 ABS-CBNNews.com 2011-05-28 Initial speculation on the candidates centered on incumbent governor and Ronald's father Chavit Singson and his political opponent Efren Rafanan of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) as the elder Singson defeated Rafanan in the 2010 gubernatorial election.Picaña Thom F. Chavit, 'Rambo' face off in Ilocos Sur special elections http://www.manilatimes.net/news/regions/chavit-%E2%80%98rambo%E2%80%99-face-off-in-ilocos-sur-special-elections/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110515140351/http://www.manilatimes.net/news/regions/chavit-%E2%80%98rambo%E2%80%99-face-off-in-ilocos-sur-special-elections/ 2011-05-15 2011-05-28 The Manila Times President Benigno Aquino III's Liberal Party screened potential candidates as Trandy Baterina, the younger Singson's congressional opponent in 2010 was no longer interested in running.Elias Jun 2011-04-07 LP still choosing bet for Ilocos Sur special poll http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=673713&publicationSubCategoryId=67 2011-05-28 Philippine Star Meanwhile, Singson's local party Biled selected Vigan vice mayor Ryan Singson, Chavit's son and Ronald's brother as their candidate.2011-04-08 Another Singson to run for Ilocos Sur special poll http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/08/11/another-singson-run-ilocos-sur-special-poll 2011-05-28 ABS-CBNNews.com On mid-May, Baterina filed his certificate of candidacy as the Liberal Party's candidate, accompanied by his father Ben, and Rafanan.2011-05-12 Aquino party-mate to run for Ilocos Sur special poll http://66.29.194.90/nation/regions/05/12/11/aquino-party-mate-run-ilocos-sur-special-poll dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110810211819/http://66.29.194.90/nation/regions/05/12/11/aquino-party-mate-run-ilocos-sur-special-poll 2011-08-10 2011-05-28 ABS-CBNNews.com District profile thumb|Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional districtIlocos Sur's 1st congressional district includes northern Ilocos Sur, or all of the province north of Santa and the Lagben River. Candidates Trandy Baterina (Liberal), businessman Ryan Luis Singson (Biled), vice mayor of Vigan Campaign The Liberal Party was split in the election: the Liberals endorsed Baterina, but their Ilocos Sur chair, Francisco Ranches Jr., personally backed Singson; he added that Baterina would be running as an independent candidate as the party nomination was not submitted to the commission on time. Rafanan, Baterina's campaign manager, countered that they got the party nomination and submitted it to the commission on time.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/9451/president-aquino%E2%80%99s-party-split-in-ilocos-sur President Aquino's party split in Ilocos Sur Leoncio Jr. Balbin Yolanda Sotelo 2011-05-26 Philippine Star 2011-05-28 At the eve of the election, both candidates' campaigns claim they have the endorsement of the Liberal Party.http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/320162/special-polls-ilocos-sur Special polls in Ilocos Sur Mar T. Supnao 2011-05-27 Manila Bulletin 2011-05-28 Results 2011 Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional district special election Ryan Luis Singson Biled Party 71995 Trandy Baterina Liberal Party 30445 102440 42 161975 63.27 41550 40.56 Biled Party gain from Lakas Kampi CMD The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) reported that the election was peaceful but there were reports of rampant vote-buying and barangay officials were entering the polling precincts. The PPCRV reported that the reason for the peacefulness was that the people already knew who will win, while refusing to name which campaign was buying votes.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/10028/watchdog-says-vote-buying-rampant-in-ilocos-sur-special-polls Watchdog says vote-buying rampant in Ilocos Sur special polls Philip C. Tubeza 2011-05-28 Philippine Daily Inquirer 2011-05-28 Chairman Sixto Brillantes, whose commission targeted an election turnout between 55 and 60%, was worried on the turnout, but noted that the election was honest and orderly. Initial figures pointed to a turnout of between 55 and 65%; the low turnout was blamed on the number of disputed posts (1), as opposed in a general election where families voted together. Another reason was that voters had not been given "incentives" to vote, such as free gasoline.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/10031/low-turnout-in-ilocos-sur-special-polls%E2%80%94comelec Low turnout in Ilocos Sur special polls—Comelec Cristina Arzadon Leoncio Jr. Balbin 2011-05-28 Philippine Daily Inquirer 2011-05-28 Meanwhile, the National Citizen's Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) reported inclement weather as a reason behind low voter turnout. NAMFREL also noted rampant vote buying, citing observations from its volunteers in Vigan that barangay representatives, supposedly non-partisan, were handing cash in exchange for votes, with 3,000 2011 yes being given to barangay captains, 2000 2011 to barangay councilors (kagawad), and 250 2011 to heads of families, calling such as money-politics and condemning it. After the conduct of the special polls, NAMFREL also released a parallel count with Singson in the lead.May 28, 2011 Election Day report on the Special Election in the 1st District of Ilocos Sur https://namfrel.org.ph/news/bulletin/28May2011%20NAMFREL%20Election%20Day%20report%20on%20the%20Special%20Election%20in%20the%201st%20District%20of%20Ilocos%20Sur.pdf +NAMFREL tallyMay 28, 2011 NAMFREL FINAL TALLY - 28 May 2011 Special Elections in Ilocos Sur 1st District https://namfrel.org.ph/news/bulletin/Namfrel%20FINAL%20Tally,%20Ilocos%20Sur%20Dist.%201%20Special%20Election%20(28May2011).pdf Party Candidate Total votes Vigan CityCabugaoMagsingalSan JuanSta. CatalinaSto. DomingoSinaitBantayCaoayanSan VicenteSan IldefonsoBiledRyan Luis Singson69,98213,7428,3286,8056,2722,8316,2977,1767,3036,2532,7832,192LiberalTrandy Baterina30,2873,2864,3232,0953,7521,8494,4313,6322,9542,0631,243659% of election returns tallied98.96%100%100%100%100%100%100%95.08%100%94.74%95.83%100% The Ilocos Sur Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed Singson as the winner on May 29.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/29/11/ronald-singsons-bro-new-ilocos-sur-rep Ronald Singson's bro is new Ilocos Sur rep ABS-CBNNews.com 2011-05-29 2011-05-29 Singson credited his party's machinery and his party mates for the victory; the position of vice mayor of Vigan will be taken over by Lourdes Baquiran, the councilor with the most votes in the 2010 city council election, with the vacancy on the council to be filled by someone from their party. The turnout was described as "good" by the city election officer, noting that only 60% of the voters generally cast their votes in special elections. Representative-elect Singson was sworn into office on May 30 at the House of Representatives with his family and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao with him at the rostrum. Singson said that they have no national political affiliation yet.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/30/11/ryan-singson-sworn-replace-brother-house Ryan Singson sworn in to replace brother in House RG Cruz ABS-CBNNews.com 2011-05-30 2011-05-30 Aftermath Ronald Singson returned to the Philippines on January 14, 2012.Hofilena Chay 2012-01-14 Former Rep Singson back home today https://www.rappler.com/philippines/849-former-rep-singson-back-home-today/ 2026-02-21 RAPPLER en-US He ran in the 2013 elections and faced Baterina anew; the latter petitioned the Commission on Elections to disqualify Singson due to his conviction.II Paterno Esmaquel 2013-04-24 Rival wants Chavit son DQ'd over HK drug case https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/27405-ronald-singson-disqualification/ 2026-02-21 RAPPLER en-US Ronald won the congressional race, while Ryan Luis the governorship.By 2013-05-14 Candidates officially proclaimed winners in the 2013 Elections https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/308265/candidates-officially-proclaimed-winners-in-the-2013-elections/story/ 2026-02-21 GMA News Online en Term limited in 2016, Deogracias Victor Savellano won the open seat.benchabadilla@gmail.com 2016-07-02 Smooth turnover for Savellano and Singson in Ilocos Sur Politiko South Luzon https://southluzon.politiko.com.ph/2016/07/02/smooth-turnover-for-savellano-and-singson-in-ilocos-sur/social-snitch/ 2026-02-21 en-US Savellano, who was Ryan Luis's father-in-law, went up against Ronald in 2022. The Singson brothers became estranged, with Ryan Luis set to face his father Chavit for the Ilocos Sur vice-gubernatorial race in 2022, but withdrew.Inquirer Philippine Daily 2021-10-12 Feuding Singsons reconcile https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1500472/feuding-singsons-reconcile 2026-02-21 INQUIRER.net en Savellano then lost to Ronald in the congressional race.Go Miriam Grace 2022-05-10 Singsons continue to dominate Ilocos Sur politics https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/singsons-continue-dominate-politics-ilocos-sur-2022/ 2026-02-21 RAPPLER en-US Ronald Singson defended the seat in 2025.October 9, 2024 Luzon, Visayas dynasties tighten grip on power https://www.inquirer.net/416862/luzon-visayas-dynasties-tighten-grip-on-power/ Philippine Daily Inquirer 2010 election result 2010 Philippine House of Representative election at Ilocos Sur's 1st district Ronald Singson Lakas–Kampi–CMD 91875 Trandy Baterina Liberal Party 35254 127129 12660 56621 44.54 Lakas–Kampi–CMD hold See also 1913 Ilocos Sur's 1st legislative district special election References External links COMELEC Resolution No. 9169 Category:2011 elections in the Philippines Category:Special elections to the Congress of the Philippines Category:Politics of Ilocos Sur