Lupon Tagapamayapa

Political process
Partisan political activity was vigorous until 1972, when martial law restrictions under
Marcos all but eliminated partisan politics. Where the principal rivals had been the
Nacionalista and Liberal parties, Marcos’s New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong
Lipunan; KBL), an organization created from elements of the Nacionalista Party and
other supporters, emerged as predominant. Organized political opposition was revived
for legislative elections held in 1978, and, since the downfall of Marcos, partisan politics
has returned to its pre-1972 level, with a large number of political parties emerging.

The Filipino political scene is marked by parties constantly forming, re-forming,

merging, and splintering into factions. Among the most prominent parties in the early
decades of the 21st century were the Liberal Party and the Lakas Kampi Christian
Muslim Democrats, the latter coming into being after the merger—completed in 2009—
between the National Union of Christian Democrats (known as Lakas) and the Alliance
of Free Filipinos (known as Kampi). Other parties included the Nacionalista Party, the
Nationalist People’s Coalition, and the Force of the Filipino Masses (Pwersa ng Masang
Pilipino; PMP). Many smaller parties are splinters from the larger organizations or are
associated with particular regional interests. In addition, political victories are often
achieved through party coalition, such as the United National Alliance, a coalition
between the PMP and the Filipino Democratic Party–Laban that elected boxer