NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Vacancy In 3rd District Of Negros Oriental Sparks Call For Special House Election
File
The Third Legislative District of the Province of Negros Oriental faces a political void following the expulsion of Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" A. Teves, Jr. due to alleged disorderly behavior and violations of the House of Representatives' Code of Conduct.
In response, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution certifying the existence of the vacancy and urging the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to conduct a special election to fill the void.
The decision to expel Representative Teves was ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of House Members, invoking Section 141 (a) and (b), Rule XX of the House of Representatives' Code of Conduct. Consequently, the Third Legislative District of Negros Oriental has been left without representation in the country's legislative body.
Cognizant of the situation, the House of Representatives referenced Section 9, Article VI of the Constitution, which stipulates that "In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term."
Accordingly, Republic Act No. 6645, titled "An Act Prescribing the Manner of Filling a Vacancy in the Congress of the Philippines," lays down the procedure for addressing such vacancies. Notably, if a vacancy arises in the House of Representatives at least one year before the next regular election, the Commission on Elections, upon receiving a resolution from the House of Representatives certifying the vacancy, is required to conduct a special election to fill the void.
Moreover, Republic Act No. 7166, known as the "Synchronized National and Local Elections Act," outlines specific guidelines for special elections. When a permanent vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives at least one year before the end of the term, the COMELEC is mandated to organize a special election within 60 to 90 days from the occurrence of the vacancy.
In light of these legal provisions, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution certifying the existence of the vacancy in the Third Legislative District of Negros Oriental and urging the COMELEC to hold a special election to select a new representative. The resolution also directs the provision of a copy to the Commission on Elections.
As the political landscape in Negros Oriental evolves, attention now shifts to the COMELEC's response to this call for a special election. The outcome of this process will determine the course of representation for the residents of the Third District and the direction of legislative affairs in the province.
In response, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution certifying the existence of the vacancy and urging the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to conduct a special election to fill the void.
The decision to expel Representative Teves was ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of House Members, invoking Section 141 (a) and (b), Rule XX of the House of Representatives' Code of Conduct. Consequently, the Third Legislative District of Negros Oriental has been left without representation in the country's legislative body.
Cognizant of the situation, the House of Representatives referenced Section 9, Article VI of the Constitution, which stipulates that "In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term."
Accordingly, Republic Act No. 6645, titled "An Act Prescribing the Manner of Filling a Vacancy in the Congress of the Philippines," lays down the procedure for addressing such vacancies. Notably, if a vacancy arises in the House of Representatives at least one year before the next regular election, the Commission on Elections, upon receiving a resolution from the House of Representatives certifying the vacancy, is required to conduct a special election to fill the void.
Moreover, Republic Act No. 7166, known as the "Synchronized National and Local Elections Act," outlines specific guidelines for special elections. When a permanent vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives at least one year before the end of the term, the COMELEC is mandated to organize a special election within 60 to 90 days from the occurrence of the vacancy.
In light of these legal provisions, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution certifying the existence of the vacancy in the Third Legislative District of Negros Oriental and urging the COMELEC to hold a special election to select a new representative. The resolution also directs the provision of a copy to the Commission on Elections.
As the political landscape in Negros Oriental evolves, attention now shifts to the COMELEC's response to this call for a special election. The outcome of this process will determine the course of representation for the residents of the Third District and the direction of legislative affairs in the province.
Aug 23, 2023
