Liberalism in the Philippines

The Liberalismseries,
part of the Politicsseries Development

Schools

Ideas

Thinkers

Regional variants

Organizations

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This article gives an overview of liberalism in the Philippines. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.

1 Introduction
2 The timeline
- 2.1 Liberal Party
3 Liberal leaders
4 References
5 See also

Introduction

After the independence the Philippines became bi-partisan state, in which one of the dominant forces was the Liberal Party. It remained a major democratic political force during and after the dictatorship. The Liberal Party (a LI and CALD member party) is a center liberal party.

The timeline

Liberal Party

Liberal Party logo with Party slogan, "Noon at Ngayon, Liberal Marangal" (Then and Now, Liberals Honorable)

1946: Left-wing elements of the Nacionalista Party established the Liberal Party under the leadership of Manuel Roxas and Elpidio Quirino.
1957: A faction established the Democratic Party.
1959: Most of the Progressive Party joined the party.
1972: The party, led by Benigno Aquino, Jr., is banned.
1978: The party became active in the Lakas ng Bayan movement.
1985: The party is refounded.
1992: The party, under the leadership of Sen. Jovito Salonga, forms a coalition with the PDP-Laban led by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel to join the presidential election with Salonga and Pimentel running for President and Vice-President respectively. Despite the party's popularity with the youth (Salonga and Pimentel topped most surveys in Colleges and Universities in the Philippines), Salonga finishes fifth.
2006: The Philippines' ruling political party, Lakas-CMD, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as its supremo, was influential in "hijacking" the Liberal Party by way of overthrowing the presidency of Sen. Franklin Drilon from the party through a rump Liberal meeting at the Manila Hotel. With the marching orders and blessings of Lakas, LP members sympathetic to the Arroyo administration used the meeting on March 2 to install Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as the party president thus triggering the LP leadership struggle/schism which to this day remains unresolved.