1909 Cavite's at-large Philippine Assembly district special election

A special election (known elsewhere as "by-elections") for the seat of Cavite's at-large district in the Philippine Assembly, the lower house of the Philippine Legislature of the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands, was held on January 19, 1909. This was triggered due to the appointment of the incumbent Rafael Palma as a member of the Philippine Commission. Emiliano Tría Tirona won the special election.

Background
In July 1908, during the final days of the administration of James Francis Smith as governor-general, William Cameron Forbes was appointed as vice governor-general, thereby making him Smith's successor when he retires. Additional appointments are Attorney-General Gregorio S. Araneta as Secretary of Finance and Justice, and judge Newton W. Gilbert and Cavite delegate Rafael Palma to the Philippine Commission.

Candidates
A total of three persons ran to fill the vacant seat, namely:
 * Emiliano Tría Tirona (Nacionalista), director of the Instituto Filipino
 * Catalino Nicolas (Independent), former municipal president of Cavite Puerto (1903–1904)
 * Hugo Salazar (Progresista), editor of the La Democracia newspaper

In August 1908, Tría Tirona announced his intention of succeeding Palma in the assembly, refuting any association with the Centro Catolico or Catholic friars.

Preparation
Smith delayed the holding of the special election for about six months so as to avoid electioneering from local politicians; in November 1908, he ultimately scheduled the election for January 19, 1909.

More than a week before the election, Progresista candidate Hugo Salazar was assaulted by Manuel L. Quezon, a delegate from Tayabas (now Quezon in his honor), at La Democracia 's offices. Quezon was disputing an article that appeared on La Democracia; the newspaper The Cablenews-American, when reporting about the incident, remarked "[W]e have nothing but words of protest against those who seek redress in this manner." Salazar then challenged Quezon to a duel, which Quezon rebuffed.

Results
Tirona of the Nacionalista Party won the election; Salazar of the Progresista Party won in just 2 of 12 towns in the district. Tirona was seated to the Philippine Assembly, with the assembly unanimously accepting him, on February 3, 1909.