2007 Philippine Senate election

2007 Philippine Senate election

←  2004 May 14, 2007 2010  →
←  outgoing members Senators elected  →
12 (of the 24) seats in the Senate of the Philippines 13 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Manny Villar Edgardo Angara Party Nacionalista LDP Alliance GO TEAM Unity Seats won 7 3 Popular vote 136,888,165 98,927,031 Percentage 50.87 36.76
Senate President before election Manny Villar Nacionalista Elected Senate President Manny Villar Nacionalista

The 2007 election of members to the Senate of the Philippines was the 29th election to the Senate of the Philippines. It was held on Monday, May 14, 2007, to elect 12 of the 24 seats in the Senate. The winners in this election joined the winners of the 2004 election to form the 14th Congress of the Philippines. The senators elected in 2004 will serve until June 30, 2010, while the senators elected in this election will serve up to June 30, 2013. The elections to the House of Representatives as well as local elections occurred on the same date. The Philippines uses plurality-at-large voting for seats in the Senate.

In the election, the opposition-backed alliance called the Genuine Opposition (GO) defeated the administration-led alliance TEAM Unity by winning seven of the twelve seats in the Senate. For the first time in Philippine history, Antonio Trillanes was elected as a senator while currently detained for mutiny and rebellion charges. Almost the incumbents running for reelection won except for Ralph Recto who was at fourteenth place.

An electoral protest of GO's Koko Pimentel, the 13th placed candidate, against TEAM Unity's Migz Zubiri, the 12th place candidate, resulted in Zubiri's resignation in the Senate, and the Senate Electoral Tribunal's decision to replace Pimentel with Zubiri. This led to GO winning 8 seats, the biggest win by the opposition in the Senate election history since 1951, notwithstanding 2 other opposition candidates won, and only 2 administration candidates won.

Official candidates

On March 19, 2007, COMELEC released Resolution No.7832 which finalized and approved the official candidates for the senatorial election. On March 29, 2007, COMELEC certified 37 Senatorial Candidates. ^[1]

Background

COMELEC issues

The Old COMELEC Building after being razed by fire on March 11, 2007.

On March 11, 2007, the Old COMELEC Building in Intramuros, Manila was burned by a blazing fire ruining several ballot boxes and pending election protests. The Genuine Opposition considered the fire as political act which ended in burning of several election protests and contested ballot boxes. Investigators found out that instead of arson, it was the generator of the building which caused and since the building was built with tar and wood it would easily razed by fire. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) faced scrutiny because of the fire that hit its old building on March 11 resulting in speculations of conspiracies to cheat on the May 14 elections. ^[2] The COMELEC was also lambasted for publishing on the internet the names, addresses and details of registered voters. ^[3]

The Aquino issue

Three people with the name Aquino filed their candidacies (Benigno Aquino III, Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Theodore Aquino), and there was confusion as to who is credited with a vote if someone wrote only "Aquino" on the ballot. Since Theodore Aquino was disqualified because he had dual citizenship and former Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta has the last name Oreta, COMELEC ruled that all votes with only the name Aquino would go to Tarlac Rep. Benigno Aquino III. All three Aquinos are related to each other.

The Cayetano issue

The matter was the same as the Aquino issue. Representative Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) found out that a certain Joselito Cayetano belonging to the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) filed his candidacy with the nickname "Peter" which was really "Jojo". Alan therefore filed a disqualification case (SPA 07-019) against Jojo. Jojo was declared a nuisance candidate by the COMELEC resolution on March 27, 2007.

Jojo then filed for a motion for reconsideration which was eventually rejected on May 11, 2007, but COMELEC did not remove his name from the Official List of Senatorial Candidates and ruled on May 12, 2007, that all votes with only the name "CAYETANO" will be stray votes (discarded) and therefore not counted to either the candidates until Supreme Court resolved the matter. The COMELEC said that Jojo could file a motion for reconsideration at the Supreme Court within five days.

Coalitions and party groupings

TEAM Unity

TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Unity was the administration-backed coalition composed mostly of supporters and erstwhile critics of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. TEAM Unity sought to take several Senate seats in order to ensure the passage of President Arroyo's legislative programs and also to protect her from any impeachment attempts by the political opposition after the midterm elections. This coalition is composed by different major political parties including Lakas—Christian Muslim Democrats, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, Nationalist People's Coalition, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, and Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas. The coalition's campaign team was headed by veteran political strategist Reli German as campaign manager, together with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano as spokesperson and Ike Rodriguez as campaign director. TEAM Unity held their proclamation rally at the Cebu Coliseum on February 17, 2007.

Genuine Opposition

Genuine Opposition (GO) was the main opposition-backed coalition of the parties' senatorial line-up for the elections, which was in opposition to President Arroyo. It was originally called the "United Opposition" (UNO), created by opposition stalwart and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay in June 2005 to unite all politicians who sought to impeach President Arroyo. UNO then reorganized itself and changed its name to Grand and Broad Coalition (GBC), with the UNO party under that coalition. On February 15, 2007, the group changed its name again to Genuine Opposition after a meeting with Senate President Manny Villar in his office in Las Piñas.

Campaign

Candidates made use of different campaign platforms to win. Prospero Pichay Jr., Manny Villar, Mike Defensor, and Loren Legarda had been very visible in TV ads. Francis Pangilinan preferred to run as an independent and decided not to participate in sorties and campaign of the Genuine Opposition, even though he was initially drafted as a guest candidate. Teresa Aquino-Oreta had raised different reactions in her TV ad campaign asking the people's forgiveness being the “dancing queen” during the impeachment of deposed President Joseph Estrada. Some candidates like Francis Escudero, Vicente Magsaysay, Francis Pangilinan, Joker Arroyo, Antonio Trillanes and Koko Pimentel made use of the internet by joining networks sites like Friendster; making or updating Wikipedia entries, establishing blogs and websites and airing the commercials on YouTube.

Candidates

Administration coalition TEAM Unity ticket Edgardo Angara LDP Tessie Aquino-Oreta NPC Joker Arroyo KAMPI Mike Defensor Lakas Jamalul Kiram III PDSP Vicente Magsaysay Lakas Cesar Montano Lakas Prospero Pichay Jr. Lakas Ralph Recto Lakas Chavit Singson Lakas Tito Sotto NPC Migz Zubiri Lakas

Dominant opposition coalition Genuine Opposition ticket Benigno Aquino III Liberal Alan Peter Cayetano Nacionalista Nikki Coseteng Independent Francis Escudero NPC Panfilo Lacson UNO Loren Legarda NPC John Henry Osmeña UNO Koko Pimentel PDP–Laban Sonia Roco Aksyon Antonio Trillanes UNO Manny Villar Nacionalista

Other tickets

Ang Kapatiran Ang Kapatiran ticket Martin Bautista Ang Kapatiran Adrian Sison Ang Kapatiran Zosimo Jesus Paredes II Ang Kapatiran KBL Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ticket Name Party Melchor Chavez KBL Joselito Pepito Cayetano KBL Ruben Enciso KBL Antonio Estrella KBL Oliver Lozano KBL Eduardo Orpilla KBL Victor Wood KBL

Candidates under no slates Name Party Felix Cantal PGRP Richard Gomez Independent Gregorio Honasan Independent Francis Pangilinan Liberal

Retiring and term-limited incumbents

At this point in time, two senators are voluntarily retiring from the Senate at the end of their current term. As well four senators are term-limited by the Constitution of the Philippines after serving two consecutive terms. There was one vacancy left in the outgoing Senate as Noli de Castro (Independent) was elected as vice-president in 2004.

1. Franklin Drilon (Liberal): Term-limited in 2007, ran in 2010 and won
2. Loi Ejercito (PMP): Did not run in 2007, Retiring from politics
3. Juan Flavier (Lakas): Retiring from politics
4. Alfredo Lim (PMP): Ran for Mayor of Manila and won
5. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (Lakas): Term-limited in 2007, ran in 2013 and lost
6. Serge Osmeña (PDP–Laban): Term-limited in 2007, campaigned for the Genuine Opposition, ran in 2010 and won

Opinion polls

Main article: Opinion polling in the Philippine Senate election, 2007

Opinion polling (locally known as "surveys") is carried out by two major polling firms: Social Weather Stations (SWS), and Pulse Asia, with a handful of minor polling firms. A typical poll asks a voter to name twelve persons one would vote for in the senate election.

Winning candidates

Pollster		Pulse Asia [4]	SWS [5]	Pulse Asia [6]	SWS [5]	Pulse Asia [7]	SWS [5]	SWS [5]
Date(s) administered		January 25–28, 2007	February 22–27, 2007	February 26–March 5, 2007	March 15–18, 2007	April 3–5, 2007	April 14–17, 2007	May 2–4, 2007
Sample size		1,200	1,200	1,200	1,200	1,200	1,200	1,200
Margin of error		±3.0%	±3.0%	±3.0%	±3.0%	±3.0%	±3.0%	±3.0%
Candidates (Party; ticket)	1	Legarda (NPC; GO), 46.6%	Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 57%	Legarda (NPC; GO), 56.8%	Legarda (NPC; GO), 58%	Legarda (NPC; GO), 56.8%	Legarda (NPC; GO), 58%	Legarda (NPC; GO), 59%
	2	Lacson (UNO; GO), 34.6%    Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 34.6%	Legarda (NPC; GO), 54%	Lacson (UNO; GO), 41.1%	Villar (NP; GO), 57%	Escudero (NPC; GO), 47.2%	Villar (NP; GO), 45%	Villar (NP; GO), 46%
	3		Villar (NP; GO), 52%	Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 39.4%	Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 48%	Villar (NP; GO), 47.0%	Escudero (NPC; GO), 41%    Lacson (UNO; GO), 41%	Escudero (NPC; GO), 43%
	4	Cayetano (NP; GO), 31.7%	Cayetano (NP; GO), 43%	Escudero (NPC; GO), 35.5%	Lacson (UNO; GO), 42%	Lacson (UNO; GO), 43.9%		Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 41%
	5	Sotto (NPC; TU), 28.8%	Lacson (UNO; GO), 42%	Recto (Lakas; TU), 35.2%	Escudero (NPC; GO), 40%	Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 38.8%	Pangilinan (LP; Ind), 39%	Lacson (UNO; GO), 39%
	6	Villar (NP; GO), 26.4%	Recto (Lakas; TU), 37%	Villar (NP; GO), 35.0%	Cayetano (NP; GO), 39%	Cayetano (NP; GO), 38.2%	Recto (Lakas; TU), 36%	Recto (Lakas; TU), 36%    Aquino (LP; GO), 36%
	7	Recto (Lakas; TU), 26.0%	Escudero (NPC; GO), 36%	Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 34.5%	Recto (Lakas; TU), 37%	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 35.7%	Angara (LDP; TU), 35%
	8	Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 25.8%	Sotto (NPC; TU), 31%	Aquino (LP; GO), 34.2%	Angara (LDP; TU), 32%	Aquino (LP; GO), 35.5%	Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 32%	Cayetano (NP; GO), 34%
	9	Ejercito (PMP; GO), 25.7%	Aquino (LP; GO), 30%    Osmeña (UNO; GO), 30%	Angara (LDP; TU), 32.1%	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 29%	Recto (Lakas; TU), 35.4%	Cayetano (NP; GO), 31%	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 32%    Zubiri (Lakas; TU), 32%
	10	Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 24.4%		Cayetano (NP; GO), 30.9%	Aquino (LP; GO), 28%    Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 28%	Angara (LDP; TU), 35.2%	Sotto (NPC; TU), 30%
	11	Angara (LDP; TU), 24.0%	Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 29%	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 27.3%		Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 33.4%	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 28%    Aquino (LP; GO), 28%    Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 28%	Arroyo (KAMPI; TU), 31%    Angara (LDP; TU), 35%
	12	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 23.3%	Honasan (Ind; Ind), 28%	Sotto (NPC; TU), 25.4%	Sotto (NPC; TU), 26%    Osmeña (UNO; GO), 26%	Zubiri (Lakas; TU), 32.0%
	13	Escudero (NPC; GO), 23.2%	Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 27%    Angara (LDP; TU), 27%	Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 23.1%		Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 30.1%		Sotto (NPC; TU), 26%
	14	Aquino (LP; GO), 22.5%	Magsaysay (Lakas; TU), 22.4%	Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 25%	Sotto (NPC; TU), 29.2%	Zubiri (Lakas; TU), 25%	Pimentel (PDP Laban; GO), 25%
15	Osmeña (UNO; GO), 17.9%	Defensor (Lakas; TU), 21%	Roco (Aksyon; GO), 22.4%	Defensor (Lakas; TU), 21%	Roco (Aksyon; GO), 23%	Roco (Aksyon; GO), 27.1%	Defensor (Lakas; TU), 24%    Trillanes (UNO; GO), 24%
None Refused Undecided		12.2%	14%	10%	10.6%	8.8%	12%	13%

Composition

Candidates who were not make it to the top 12, but were within the margin of error from the 12th-placed candidate, are denoted by figures inside the parenthesis.

Pollster	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Parties										Coalitions
				KAMPI	Lakas	LDP	LP	NP	NPC	PDP Laban	UNO	Ind		GO	Ind	TEAM Unity
SWS [5]	May 2–4, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	2	1	2	2	2	1	1	1		6	2	4
SWS [5]	Apr 14–17, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	1(+1)	1	2	2	3	1	1	1		6(+1)	2	4(+1)
Pulse Asia [6]	Apr 3–5, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	2	1	2	2	3	0(+1)	2	1		7(+1)	2	4
SWS [5]	Mar 15–18, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	1	1	2	2	3	0(+1)	1(+1)	1		6(+1)	2	5
Pulse Asia [6]	Feb 26–Mar 5, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	1(+1)	1	2	2	3	0(+1)	1	1		6(+2)	2	4(+1)
SWS [5]	Feb 22–27, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	1	0(+1)	2	2	3	0(+1)	2	1		6(+1)	2	4(+1)
Pulse Asia [4]	Jan 25–28, 2007	1,200	±3.0%	1	1	1	1(+1)	2	2(+1)	1	1	1		5(+2)	2	4

Results

The Genuine Opposition (GO) originally won seven seats, TEAM Unity won three seats, a Liberal Party candidate not in any slate won one, and an independent won one.

Five incumbents successfully defended their seats: Edgardo Angara and Joker Arroyo for TEAM Unity, Panfilo Lacson and Manny Villar from GO, and Francis Pangilinan of the Liberal Party.

GO's Benigno Aquino III, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Antonio Trillanes, and TEAM Unity's Migz Zubiri are the neophyte senators.

Returning are independent candidate Gregorio Honasan, and Loren Legarda from GO.

TEAM Unity's Ralph Recto was the sole incumbent defeated.

Migz Zubiri's seat would later be awarded to Koko Pimentel of GO in 2011 when the latter won an election protest against the former.

The election of Alfredo Lim as Mayor of Manila in concurrent elections means that his Senate seat will be vacant until June 30, 2010.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
Before election					+	+	+	‡	‡	‡	‡	‡^	‡	‡	‡	‡
Election result	Not up				LP	GO							Ind	TEAM Unity			Not up
After election					*	+	√	*	√	*	+	√	+	√	*	+								^
Senate bloc	Minority bloc								Majority bloc

Key:

• ‡ Seats up
• + Gained by a party from another party
• √ Held by the incumbent
• * Held by the same party with a new senator
• ^ Vacancy

Per candidate

Candidate		Party or alliance			Votes	%
	Loren Legarda	Genuine Opposition		Nationalist People's Coalition	18,501,734	62.72
	Francis Escudero	Genuine Opposition		Nationalist People's Coalition	18,265,307	61.92
	Panfilo Lacson	Genuine Opposition		United Opposition	15,509,188	52.58
	Manny Villar	Genuine Opposition		Nacionalista Party	15,338,412	52.00
	Francis Pangilinan	Liberal Party			14,534,678	49.27
	Benigno Aquino III	Genuine Opposition		Liberal Party	14,309,349	48.51
	Edgardo Angara	TEAM Unity		Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino	12,657,769	42.91
	Joker Arroyo	TEAM Unity		Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino	11,803,107	40.01
	Alan Peter Cayetano	Genuine Opposition		Nacionalista Party	11,787,679	39.96
	Gregorio Honasan	Independent			11,605,531	39.34
	Antonio Trillanes	Genuine Opposition		United Opposition	11,189,671	37.93
	Migz Zubiri [lower-alpha 1]	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	11,005,866	37.31
	Koko Pimentel [lower-alpha 1]	Genuine Opposition		PDP–Laban	10,987,347	37.25
	Ralph Recto	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	10,721,252	36.34
	Mike Defensor	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	9,938,995	33.69
	Prospero Pichay Jr.	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	9,798,622	33.22
	Sonia Roco	Genuine Opposition		Aksyon Demokratiko	8,457,748	28.67
	Cesar Montano	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	7,800,451	26.44
	Tito Sotto	TEAM Unity		Nationalist People's Coalition	7,638,361	25.89
	John Henry Osmeña	Genuine Opposition		United Opposition	7,267,048	24.64
	Vicente Magsaysay	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	6,357,905	21.55
	Nikki Coseteng	Genuine Opposition		Independent	5,274,682	17.88
	Tessie Aquino-Oreta	TEAM Unity		Nationalist People's Coalition	4,362,065	14.79
	Chavit Singson	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	4,353,644	14.76
	Richard Gomez	Independent			2,725,664	9.24
	Jamalul Kiram III	TEAM Unity		Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas	2,488,994	8.44
	Melchor Chavez	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			843,702	2.86
	Martin Bautista	Ang Kapatiran			761,165	2.58
	Zosimo Paredes	Ang Kapatiran			713,817	2.42
	Joselito Pepito Cayetano	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			510,366	1.73
	Adrian Sison	Ang Kapatiran			402,331	1.36
	Oliver Lozano	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			305,647	1.04
	Antonio Estrella	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			285,488	0.97
	Victor Wood	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			283,036	0.96
	Felix Cantal	Philippine Green Republican Party			123,608	0.42
	Eduardo Orpilla	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			107,532	0.36
	Ruben Enciso	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			100,523	0.34
Total					269,118,284	100.00
Total votes					29,498,660	–
Registered voters/turnout					43,104,362	68.44
Source: COMELEC

1. Migz Zubiri was later removed from office in favor of Koko Pimentel who won an election protest.

Per coalition

Party or alliance				Votes	%	Seats
	Genuine Opposition		Nationalist People's Coalition	36,767,041	13.66	2
			United Opposition	33,965,907	12.62	2
			Nacionalista Party	27,126,091	10.08	2
			Liberal Party	14,309,349	5.32	1
			PDP–Laban	10,987,347	4.08	0
			Aksyon Demokratiko	8,457,748	3.14	0
			Independent	5,274,682	1.96	0
		Total		136,888,165	50.87	7
	TEAM Unity		Lakas–CMD	59,976,735	22.29	1
			Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino	12,657,769	4.70	1
			Nationalist People's Coalition	12,000,426	4.46	0
			Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino	11,803,107	4.39	1
			Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas	2,488,994	0.92	0
		Total		98,927,031	36.76	3
	Liberal Party			14,534,678	5.40	1
	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan			2,436,294	0.91	0
	Ang Kapatiran			1,877,313	0.70	0
	Philippine Green Republican Party			123,608	0.05	0
	Independent			14,331,195	5.33	1
Total				269,118,284	100.00	12
Total votes				29,498,660	–
Registered voters/turnout				43,104,362	68.44

Vote share GO   50.87% TEAM Unity   36.76% LP   5.40% Others   6.97%

Senate seats GO   58.33% TEAM Unity   25.00% LP   8.33% Others   8.33%

Per party

This table depicts the totals before the Senate Electoral Tribunal's 2011 decision on Pimentel v. Zubiri electoral protest.

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats
					Up	Before	Won	After	+/−
	Lakas–CMD	59,976,735	22.29	−9.55	2	5	1	4	−1
	Nationalist People's Coalition	48,767,467	18.12	New	0	0	2	2	+2
	United Opposition	33,965,907	12.62	New	1	1	2	2	+1
	Liberal Party	28,844,027	10.72	−1.06	3	5	2	4	−1
	Nacionalista Party	27,126,091	10.08	New	1	2	2	3	+1
	Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino	12,657,769	4.70	New	1	2	1	2	0
	Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino	11,803,107	4.39	New	1	1	1	1	0
	PDP–Laban	10,987,347	4.08	New	1	2	0	1	−1
	Aksyon Demokratiko	8,457,748	3.14	−0.53	0	0	0	0	0
	Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas	2,488,994	0.92	New	0	0	0	0	0
	Kilusang Bagong Lipunan	2,436,294	0.91	+0.70	0	0	0	0	0
	Ang Kapatiran	1,877,313	0.70	New	0	0	0	0	0
	Philippine Green Republican Party	123,608	0.05	New	0	0	0	0	0
	Independent	19,605,877	7.29	−0.52	0	0	1	1	New
	People's Reform Party				0	1	0	1	0
	Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino				1	4	0	2	−2
Vacancy					1	1	0	1	0
Total		269,118,284	100.00	–	12	24	12	24	0
Total votes		29,498,660	–
Registered voters/turnout		43,104,362	68.44

Vote share Lakas   22.19% NPC   18.12% UNO   12.62% LP   10.72% NP   10.08% LDP   4.70% KAMPI   4.39% PDP-Laban   4.06% Independent   7.29% Others   5.83%

Senate seats won Lakas   8.33% NPC   16.67% UNO   16.67% LP   16.67% NP   16.67% LDP   8.33% KAMPI   8.33% PDP-Laban   0.00% Independent   8.33% Others   0.00%

Unofficial tallies

Party/coalition	Revised by SET	COMELEC	NAMFREL	Pulse Asia	ABS-CBN [8]	GMA [9]
GO	8	7	8	8	8	7
TEAM Unity	2	3	2	2	2	4
Independents	2	2	2	2	2	1
Others	0	0	0	0	0	0

ABS-CBN/Pulse Asia Numbers in percentages. Conducted by ABS-CBN and Pulse Asia. Name Pulse Asia Legarda, Loren 58.5 Escudero, Francis 53.3 Villar, Manuel Jr., 49.8 Lacson, Panfilo 46.4 Pangilinan, Francis 44.6 Aquino, Benigno Simeon III 42.6 Angara, Edgardo 41.1 Arroyo, Joker 36.8 Trillanes, Antonio IV 35.4 Zubiri, Juan Miguel 34.9 Honasan, Gregorio 34.6 Recto, Ralph 34.3 Cayetano, Alan Peter 31.0 Pichay, Prospero Jr. 30.4 Pimentel, Aquilino III 28.5 Roco, Sonia 28.4 Defensor, Michael 28.2 Sotto, Vicente III 26.2 Montano, Cesar 24.0 Osmeña, John Henry 21.6 Magsaysay, Vicente 19.9 Coseteng, Anna Dominique 14.8 Oreta, Teresa 11.6 Singson, Luis 11.6 Gomez, Richard 8.9 Kiram, Jamalul III 6.6 Chavez, Melchor 3.0 Cayetano, Joselito 2.9 Bautista, Martin 2.6 Sison, Adrian 1.7 Paredes, Zosimo Jesus II 1.6 Lozano, Oliver 1.4 Wood, Victor 1.4 Estrella, Antonio 1.1 Cantal, Felix 0.7 Enciso, Ruben 0.7 Orpilla, Eduardo 0.3

NASSA/NAMFREL quick count Partial and Unofficial - 197,084 of 224,748 precincts or 87.69% of total precincts. June 2, 2007 11:41 p.m. Batch 43. Name [10] Party [10] NAMFREL [11] Legarda, Loren NPC 15,200,169 Escudero, Francis NPC 14,926,697 Lacson, Panfilo UNO 12,880,049 Villar, Manuel Jr. NP 12,537,728 Aquino, Benigno Simeon III LP 11,965,505 Pangilinan, Francis LP 11,930,557 Angara, Edgardo LDP 10,403,534 Cayetano, Alan Peter NP 9,691,262 Honasan, Gregorio Independent 9,636,150 Arroyo, Joker KAMPI 9,618,637 Trillanes, Antonio IV UNO 9,248,609 Pimentel, Aquilino III PDP-Laban 8,985,408 Zubiri, Juan Miguel Lakas–CMD 8,811,731 Recto, Ralph Lakas–CMD 8,599,532 Defensor, Michael Lakas–CMD [12] 8,075,073 Pichay, Prospero Jr. Lakas–CMD 7,938,313 Roco, Sonia AD 7,027,063 Montano, Cesar Lakas–CMD 6,444,301 Osmeña, John Henry UNO 6,095,478 Sotto, Vicente III NPC 6,082,898 Magsaysay, Vicente Lakas–CMD 5,269,394 Coseteng, Anna Dominique Independent 4,408,406 Oreta, Teresa NPC 3,481,280 Singson, Luis Lakas–CMD 3,468,039 Gomez, Richard Independent 2,308,620 Kiram, Jamalul III PDSP 1,956,612 Chavez, Melchor KBL 753,434 Paredes, Zosimo II AK 716,544 Bautista, Martin AK 689,272 Cayetano, Joselito KBL 560,281 Sison, Adrian AK 420,080 Lozano, Oliver KBL 366,146 Estrella, Antonio KBL 344,670 Wood, Victor KBL 310,079 Orpilla, Eduardo KBL 211,986 Enciso, Ruben KBL 184,401 Cantal, Felix PGRP 165,116 Source: NAMFRELPHILIPPINES.org website

Aftermath

Although the Genuine Opposition gained control of the Senate after the elections, they were divided on who was to be next Senate President. As such, Senate President Manuel Villar (Nacionalista) formed a bloc in the Senate to contest the Senate presidency. Facing him was the minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. backed by several fellow opposition senators. On July 26, 2007, Villar defeated Pimentel was elected to Senate by a vote of 15–7 with Villar and Pimentel voting for each other. Senator Antonio Trillanes was not allowed to attend the Senate session. ^[13]

This is how the election for the Senate presidency went: ^[13]

Voted for Villar	Voted for Pimentel	Not voting	Vacancy
Manny Villar Edgardo Angara (LDP) Joker Arroyo (Kampi) Alan Peter Cayetano Pia Cayetano Miriam Defensor Santiago (PRP) Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP) Francis Escudero (NPC) Jinggoy Estrada (PMP) Dick Gordon (Independent) Gregorio Honasan (Independent) Lito Lapid (Lakas-CMD) Francis Pangilinan (Liberal) Bong Revilla (Lakas-CMD) Migz Zubiri (Lakas-CMD)	Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Benigno Aquino III (Liberal) Rodolfo Biazon (Liberal) Panfilo Lacson (UNO) Loren Legarda (NPC) Jamby Madrigal (UNO) Mar Roxas (Liberal)	Antonio Trillanes (UNO; detained) *	Seat vacated by Alfredo Lim (PMP; Elected Mayor of Manila)
Votes needed to win: 13

Pimentel vs. Zubiri electoral protest

Main article: Pimentel vs. Zubiri electoral protest

The 12th Senate seat was contested between TEAM Unity's Migz Zubiri and GO's Koko Pimentel Zubiri was proclaimed In July 2007 with a margin of about 20,000 votes, ^[14] but Pimentel filed an electoral protest to the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), which the tribunal accepted, alleging there was massive electoral fraud in Maguindanao. ^[15] After the revision of votes on Pimentel's protest in July 2009, he released a statement that he now leads Zubiri by 96,000 votes; ^[16] Zubiri countered that his counter-protest that alleges similar fraud in Mega Manila has him leading by around 132,000 votes in areas affected by his counter protest. ^[16]

In July 2011, suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol alleged that there was indeed fraud in the ARMM in favor of TEAM Unity. ^[17] On August 3, 2011, Zubiri resigned, maintaining that he had no hand in alleged electoral fraud in the ARMM. ^[18] He withdrew his counter-protest, ^[19] which led to the SET to proclaim Pimentel as the winner on August 11, 2011. ^[20] Pimentel took his oath at Mati, Davao Oriental, where he had the highest rank among the provinces, finishing in second place. ^[21]

Pimentel sued former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, COMELEC chairman Benjamin Abalos, Maguinadanao elections supervisor Lintang Bedol and others for electoral sabotage on August 17, 2011, at the Department of Justice (DOJ). ^[22] A joint DOJ-COMELEC panel began investigations on Pimentel's suit by November 3. ^[23] On November 18, 2011, the commission voted to file charges against Arroyo and others at the Pasay Regional Trial Court, which later ordered Arroyo, Abalos and Bedol arrested later in the day. ^[24]

References

1. "Comelec okays 37 senatorial bets - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Archived from the original on 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
2. "Senators, bets: Comelec fire 'cover-up' or prelude to fraud".
3. Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
4. "Pulse Asia's January 2007 Pre-election Survey Media Release on Filipinos' Senatorial Preferences". Pulse Asia . Pulse Asia. 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
5. "AT THE SENATE HOMESTRETCH: GO 6, IND. 2, TU 4". Social Weather Stations . Social Weather Stations. 2007-05-10. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
6. "Pulse Asia's March 2007 Ulat ng Bayan Survey Media Release on Filipinos' Senatorial Preferences". Pulse Asia . Pulse Asia. 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
7. "Pulse Asia's April 3 - 5, 2007 Pre-election Survey Media Release on Filipinos' Senatorial Preferences". Pulse Asia . Pulse Asia. 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
8. "ABS-CBN Interactive - HALALAN 2007". Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
9. "Eleksyon 2007 - INQUIRER.net". Archived from the original on 2010-05-15. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
10. "Certified List of Candidates for Senators". Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
11. Archived 2010-05-15 at the Wayback Machine Inquirer has the National Quick count of the NAMFREL
12. He resigned from the Liberal Party in early February 2006.
13. Uy, Veronica (2007-07-23). "(UPDATE 3) Villar elected Senate President". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
14. "Zubiri: SC ruling on Pimentel bid seals case". abs-cbnNEWS.com. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
15. "Zubiri: SC ruling on Pimentel bid seals case". abs-cbnNEWS.com. 2008-03-14. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
16. Ubac, Michael Lim (2009-07-23). "I'm ahead in recount, Koko Pimentel claims". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
17. Jumilla, Lynda (2011-07-13). "Hope comes alive for Koko Pimentel". abs-cbnNEWS.com. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
18. Ager, Maila (2011-08-03). "Zubiri resigns amid poll fraud scandal". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
19. "Zubiri to withdraw counter-protest vs Koko Pimentel". GMA News Online. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
20. Calonzo, Andreo C. (2011-08-11). "Pimentel proclaimed 12th winning senator in '07 polls". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
21. Merueñas, Mark (2011-08-12). "Koko Pimentel takes oath as senator". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
22. Philip C. Tubeza (2011-10-18). "Sen. Pimentel files election fraud raps vs Arroyo couple et al". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
23. Dennis Carcamo (2011-11-03). "Joint DOJ-Comelec panel starts poll sabotage hearings". Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 2012-09-15.
24. Matikas Santos (2011-11-18). "Warrant of arrest served on Arroyo". Philippine Daily Inquirer.

External links

• Official website of the Commission on Elections
• Official website of National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL)
• Official website of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
• VForce - 1 Million Volunteers for Clean Elections (VForce)

Media websites

• Halalan 2007 - Election coverage by ABS-CBN
• Eleksyon 2007- Election coverage by GMA Network
• Eleksyon 2007 - Election coverage by the Philippine Daily Inquirer