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Friday, May 11, 2012

Remembering the May 11, 1992 Elections

Twenty years ago on this day, synchronized elections was held in the Philippines. Thousands of candidates aspired for positions from President to municipal councilor.

I was still not a registered voter during that time, but I will share what I remember about the 1992 elections at the national level.

That was the first time presidential elections were held in the country since the 1986 People Power EDSA Revolution. There were seven aspirants in the presidential race.

Fidel V. Ramos of  Lakas-NUCD, Miriam Defensor-Santiago of PRP, Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. of NPC, Ramon Mitra, Jr. of LDP, Imelda Marcos of KBL, Jovito Salonga of Liberal Party, and Salvador Laurel of Nacionalista Party.

Then-president Corazon C. Aquino had the chance to run for a second term. She, however, endorsed instead the candidacy of  Ramos, who eventually won the plurality with 23.58% of the vote. Defensor-Santiago placed second with 19.72%.

Actor-turned-mayor-turned-senator Joseph Estrada of PMP won as vice president.

Other contenders were Marcelo Fernan of LDP, Emilio Osmeña of Lakas-NUCD, Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.of  PRP, Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. of PDP-Laban, Vicente Magsaysay , Eva Estrada-Kalaw of Nacionalista Party

Voters also chose 24 senators out of a field of 166: the top twelve having the most number of votes were mandated to serve a six-year term until 1998. The remaining twelve have their three-year terms ending in 1995.

Many celebrities participated and won in this race, led by Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Ramon Revilla, Sr.

Twenty years has passed, and many aspects of Filipino life has changed. It seems that politics hasn't.
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8 comments:

  1. Eric : Blog De ManilaMay 24, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Agree...nothing changed in the politics landscape except for the worst...so sad :(

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  2. Lady PatchyMay 25, 2012 at 3:21 AM

    I was in college and still remember the election.Actually the politics changed a lot... it changed for the worst. The Filipinos never changed and that is the truth.We still vote those trapo's and showbiz personalities whose primary purpose is to steal money from the government and not to serve the country and the people.What a pitty. The question is.. When are we gonna learn???? IT IS NEVER TOO LATE..

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  3. Janette ToralMay 25, 2012 at 5:23 AM

    I voted for Miriam Defensor Santiago then. Many of us felt she was cheated then. It was also the last time I ever voted for a President.

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  4. BlancaMay 25, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    I would like to think that we have more informed voters now than before because of social media like blogging, fb, and twitter that serve as platforms for exchange of opinions and ideas. Because of the sharing of ideas and opinions that happens in these social media, voters have become more discerning.

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  5. belldandyMay 25, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Like Blanca, I am hopeful that Filipino voters are indeed more educated now than they were years ago. The problem is not just the voters but the candidates. I mean it's not like they have great choices, right? Elections in our country is never a choice between who's better but rather who's the lesser evil. Sad, I know...

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  6. iaadamlimMay 25, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    As much as I despise politicking I know it is inevitable. At first I thought working online will lessen my experience with politics but alas I was proven wrong. Still I am hopeful that one day we will have good politics more than the bad one (if there is such thing as a good politics?).

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  7. michelleMay 25, 2012 at 11:27 PM

    1992! I remember it was around that year I experienced joining rallies as a PLM student. *reminiscing* :) I wasn't a voter yet at that time though.

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  8. MheAnneMay 25, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    it's true that nothing has changed if politics is the game! your post makes me reminisce just like michelle! i was then a 3rd year PLM student but wasn't yet a voter at the age of 16!

    ReplyDelete