2002 Zamboanga del Norte's 1st congressional district special election

A special election for Zamboanga del Norte's 1st district seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines was held on August 26, 2002. Held due to Representative Romeo Jalosjos being dropped from the rolls after being convicted with finality for rape of a minor, Jalosjos' sister won the special election convincingly.

2002 special election at Zamboanga del Norte's 1st legislative district

August 26, 2002

Candidate Cecilia Jalosjos Carreon Artemio Adaza, Jr. Orlando Salatandre Party Reporma Lakas Independent Popular vote 64,000 8,404 6,232 Percentage 80.45% 10.56% 7.83%   Candidate Elias Pamatong Party Independent Popular vote 918 Percentage 1.15%

Representative before election Romeo Jalosjos Lakas Representative-elect Cecilia Jalosjos Carreon Reporma

Campaign

The House of Representatives dropped incumbent representative Romeo Jalosjos from the rolls after his conviction for rape of a minor was rendered final by the Supreme Court on November 15, 2001. Jalosjos, who was accused of rape in 1996, was originally convicted by the Makati Regional Trial Court, and sentenced to two life terms aside from penalties from six counts of lasciviousness, but still won reelection in 2001. The vacancy caused the House of Representatives to ask the Commission on Elections to call for a special election.[1]

Four candidates filed the paperwork to run for the vacant seat:[2]

• Cecilia Jalosjos Carreon, Piñan mayor and Jalosjos' sister (Partido ng Demokratikong Reporma-Lapiang Malaya).
• Orlando Salatandre Jr., a former member of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Board, and one of the defense counsels of Ruben Ecleo, Jr.
• Archie Adaza, son of former Representative Artemio Adaza (Lakas-NUCD-UMDP).
• Elias Pamatong, legal counsel of Nur Misuari.

Result

2002 special election at Zamboanga del Norte's 1st legislative district

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Reporma	Cecilia Jalosjos Carreon	64,000	80.45
	Lakas	Artemio Adaza, Jr.	8,404	10.56
	Independent	Orlando Salatandre	6,232	7.83
	Independent	Elias Pamatong	918	1.15
Total votes			79,554	100.00
	Reporma gain from Lakas

Carreon won via landslide, earning 64,000 votes. She will serve until 2004, or her brother's unfinished term. She is sworn in by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on August 29 at Sergio Osmeña.[3]

References

1. "Special election slated in Jalosjos district". Philippine Star. 2002-08-08. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
2. dela Cruz, Lino (2002-08-19). "Jalosjos' sis, 3 others vying in special poll". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
3. dela Cruz, Lino (2002-08-29). "JALOSJOS' SIS PROCLAIMED WINNER; AGRARIAN REFORM SEC ORDERS FARM TAKEOVERS". Philippine Star. Newsflash. Retrieved 2012-12-23.