1984 Philippine parliamentary election

A parliamentary election were held on May 14, 1984 in the Philippines. Like past elections, charges of bribery, protests and complaints on irregularities marred the elections. Former Manila Times publisher Chino Roces and former senator and opposition leader Jose W. Diokno supported the campaign boycotting the election. The National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) helped mitigate electoral fraud during the election.

1984 Philippine parliamentary election
May 14, 1984
197 (of the 200) seats in the Regular Batasang Pambansa
101 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
UNIDO
Leader Cesar Virata José Laurel, Jr.
Party KBL UNIDO
Leader's seat Cavite Batangas
Last election 150 seats, 74.97% new party
Seats won 110 + 4 coalition 35 + 26 coalition
Seat change 40 35
Prime Minister before election

Cesar Virata
KBL

 Prime Minister-designate

Cesar Virata
KBL

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Although the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan retained a majority in parliament, the United Nationalist Democratic Organization scored a strong victory, winning 60 seats and reducing the ruling party's majority to 114 compared to the 150 they had in 1978. This was the first Philippine election to happen after the end of the controversial martial law period from 1972 to 1981.

The opposition's success was due in most part because of the public fallout after the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. on August 21, 1983 following a return from self-imposed exile from 1980. His death exposed an increasingly incapable administration under Ferdinand Marcos, exposing serious corruption and nepotism within, including from Marcos' wife Imelda Marcos, as well as exposing Marcos' worsening health at that time. As a result of Aquino's assassination and subsequent investigation, opposition became more widespread and united, rallying under his wife Corazon Aquino. The economy was also in crisis with severe poverty and debt dragging down growth, which was attributed to the Reagan administration's decision to distance itself from Marcos following Aqunios death, resulting in fewer investments that boosted the regime earlier before.

The gains from the United Nationalist Democratic Organization, among other factors would force Ferdinand Marcos to call the emergency 1986 snap election, which would ultimately see him ousted following accusations of fraud, leading to Corazon Aquino's becoming president.

Events leading to the Regular Batasang Pambansa elections

After the assassination of opposition leader former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983, the opposition ran for the Regular Batasang Pambansa under the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) against the ruling Kilusang Bagong Lipunan of Ferdinand Marcos.

Results
↓
District Other
114 61 8
KBL UNIDO [1]
14 3
[2] [3]
1 Others
2 Sectoral seats
3 Appointed seats
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan110−40
United Nationalist Democratic Organization35+35
Coalitions17+17
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan6+6
Independent KBL4+4
Nacionalista Party20
Mindanao Alliance10
Concerned Citizens' Aggrupation1+1
Partido Panaghiusa1+1
Independent6+5
Sectoral seats140
Appointed seats30
Total200+10
Source: Julio Teehankee. "Electoral Politics in the Philippines" (PDF). quezon.ph.

See also
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