HUMSS 2 (PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE)

READING MATERIAL

LESSON 13: Political Parties

I. Introduction
One major factor that makes our political parties weak is the dependence of political parties
on personalities rather than on issues and political platforms. Traditional politicians only use
Political Parties as financial vehicles to win elections,” the Office of the Ombudsman wrote in
a primer they made for the Political Party Development Act, which is still pending in the
Congress.
II. Objectives
After this lesson, you should be able to:
1. describe the nature of political parties in the Philippines;
2. discuss the implications of the existing political party system in the Philippines on the
governance of the country; and
3. propose different advocacies and how to address them through the methods utilized
by political parties.
III. Discussion / Course Content
There are about 169 political parties listed and accredited by the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) on its official website. These include all the major and minor parties, both on the
national and local scope, as well as party lists.
Due to constraints, we only listed down the nine major political parties recognized by the
Comelec for the 2016 national elections, and the candidates they endorse for the 2019 midterm
elections. This includes two dominant parties and seven other major political parties.
Liberal Party (LP)
The Liberal Party is the second oldest existing political party in the country following the
Nacionalista Party (No. 3 on this list). Its founder, former Senate President Manuel Roxas,
formed the party in 1945 right after the country’s liberation from the Japanese occupation.
Before the LP’s creation, Roxas was first responsible for establishing a liberal wing of the
Nacionalista Party, which is why the LP is also seen as a breakaway faction of the NP.
Historically, the party’s political position has tended to be in the center to center-left. It promotes
social liberalism.
The Comelec identified the LP as the dominant majority party for the 2016 elections. Today, it
currently holds five Senate seats and 46 seats in the House of Representatives. It is chaired by
Vice President Leni Robredo and has Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as its president. It is
also known as the opposition block today.
*2019 senatorial candidates: The ‘Otso Diretso’ - Gary Alejano, Bam Aquino, Chel Diokno,
Samira Gutoc, Mar Roxas, and Erin Tañada.
*Non-member candidates they endorse: Florin Hilbay, Romy Macalintal

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United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)
UNA may be the youngest political party on this list, but it was recognized by the COMELEC as
the dominant minority party for the 2016 elections.
Officially founded as a political party in 2015 by former Vice President Jejomar Binay, it sprung
from the United Opposition (UNO) coalition that was formed in 2005 for the 2007 midterm
elections.
The party leans toward center-right and practices rather conservative politics. It holds two seats
in the Upper House and three in the Lower Chamber. It is currently chaired by Binay’s daughter,
Senator Nancy Binay.
*2019 senatorial candidates: Nancy Binay, Danilo Roleda
Nacionalista Party (NP)
The Nacionalista Party is the oldest existing political party in the country and in Southeast Asia.
It was founded in April 1907 by former presidents Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña and
was formed to support the liberalization of the Philippines from the American rule.
The NP is a largely right-wing political party with conservative ideologies, somewhat similar to
the US’ Republican Party. Today, the party holds four Senate seats and 29 seats in the House
of Representatives. It is currently chaired by former Senate President Manuel “Manny” Villar.
*2019 senatorial candidates: Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos
Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC)
Like the Liberal Party, the NPC is also a breakaway faction that stemmed from another party—
this time, the Nacionalista Party.
Filipino businessman and then-presidential candidate Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. founded the NPC
in 1992. Since its first members came from the Nacionalista Party, the two parties share a lot in
common when it comes to ideologies and political leanings.
Like the NP, the NPC also promotes conservatism and positions itself at the center-right of the
political spectrum. It currently holds three seats in the Senate and 33 seats in the House of
Representatives.
*2019 senatorial candidates: Lito Lapid, JV Ejercito
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)
Fact: This party endorsed the presidential campaign of Rodrigo Duterte.
Another fact: It also nominated former President Corazon Aquino as its candidate for the 1986
snap elections.
PDP-Laban was established through a merger between the parties Partido Demokratiko Pilipino
and Lakas ng Bayan (founded by former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.) in 1983, led by former
Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel. Its creation was to overthrow the Marcos
administration.
The party’s inherent ideologies lie in democratic socialism. These days, however, it is also
mixed with populism and federalism.

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It is also currently the ruling political party in the country. The party holds three upper house
seats and 114 lower house seats. Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel serves as its president.
*2019 senatorial candidates: Koko Pimentel, Bato Dela Rosa, Zajid Mangudadatu, Bong Go,
Francis Tolentino
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL)
Largely a pro-Marcos party, the KBL was founded in 1978 and was reorganized again in 1986
after the Martial Law. It was formed by pro-Marcos supporters who came from the Nacionalista
and Liberal parties. As such, the party supports authoritarianism.
The party currently doesn’t have any representatives in both chambers of the Congress.
*2019 senatorial candidate: Larry Gadon
Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)
The Lakas-CMD that we know now was founded in 2008. It is one of the only two parties on this
list that is influenced by religion (the other is NUP).
Its roots trace back to the merger of the original Lakas-CMD, which was founded in 1991, and
Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI). It is in the center-right of the political spectrum and
promotes conservatism, Christian democracy, and Islamic democracy as its core ideologies.
They only hold four seats in the lower chamber today. Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. serves as its
chairman.
*2019 senatorial candidates: Willie Ong, Ramon Revilla Jr.
Aksyon Demokratiko
Much like the other parties mentioned in this list, Aksyon Demokratiko’s roots came from an
older party. In this case, it was the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.
Aksyon Demokratiko was founded in 1997 by former senator Raul Roco. It identifies itself as a
progressive political party, forwarding progressivism and liberal democracy. It aligns itself in the
center-left of the political spectrum.
*2019 senatorial candidates: Florin Hilbay
**Non-member candidates they endorse: the rest of ‘Otso-Diretso’, Lito Lapid
National Unity Party (NUP)
Founded in 2011, the NUP is a breakaway party from the Lakas Kampi CMD. The party
advances social conservatism and Christian democracy as its core ideologies. Its politics tend to
lean towards the center to center-right.
The party does not hold any seat in the Senate, but it has 21 representatives in the lower house.
It is currently chaired by Ronaldo Puno.
For additional reading material, refer to the following links:

 https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/political-parties-in-the-philippines-a00287-
20190127-lfrm

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