1984 Philippine parliamentary election explained

Election Name:1984 Philippine parliamentary election
Country:Philippines
Flag Year:1936
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1978 Philippine parliamentary election
Previous Year:1978
Next Election:1987 Philippine House of Representatives elections
Next Year:1987
Election Date:May 14, 1984
Seats For Election:197 (of the 200) seats in the Regular Batasang Pambansa
Majority Seats:99
Leader1:Cesar Virata
Party1:Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
Leaders Seat1:Cavite
Last Election1:150 seats, 74.97%
Popular Vote1:27,237,315
Percentage1:46.01%
Seats1:110 + 4 coalition
Seat Change1: 40
Leader2:Jose Laurel Jr.
Party2:United Nationalist Democratic Organization
Leaders Seat2:Batangas
Last Election2:new party
Popular Vote2:20,352,815
Percentage2:34.38%
Seats2:35 + 26 coalition
Seat Change2: 35
Prime Minister
Before Election:Cesar Virata
Posttitle:Prime Minister-designate
After Election:Cesar Virata
Before Party:Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
After Party:Kilusang Bagong Lipunan

A parliamentary election was 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.

The ruling Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) retained a majority in parliament, but the opposition United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) made massive gains, winning 60 seats and reducing the KBL'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. His death exposed an increasingly incapable administration under President Ferdinand Marcos, exposing serious corruption and nepotism within, including from Marcos' wife Imelda, 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 widow 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 Aquino's death, resulting in fewer investments that boosted the regime earlier before.

The gains from UNIDO, among other factors would force Marcos to call the for the 1986 snap presidential election, which would ultimately see him ousted following accusations of fraud, leading to Corazon Aquino becoming president.

Events leading to the Regular Batasang Pambansa elections

After the assassination of opposition leader 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

See main article: articles and Results of the 1984 Philippine parliamentary election.

See also

External links