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Founding & History
Since 1946 when it was founded until the advent of martial law in 1972, the Liberal Party (LP) was one of the Philippines’ two major parties, holding power for much of the crucial post-WW II economic reconstruction. Under the Marcos dictatorship, the two-party system was replaced by the ruling KBL. After the assassination of LP Secretary General Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. in 1983, the LP started to rally the opposition behind his widow, Corazon Aquino, ushering in the current era of democracy.
Right after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, the liberal party under Senate President Jovito Salonga was able to consolidate in the post-Marcos era. The party, particularly its stalwart in the senate, were crucial in the abrogation in 1991 of the RP-US Military Bases agreement that marked the closure of the biggest military installations outside the US thus ending more than four centuries of foreign military presence in the country. This underscored the party’s commitment to freedom, sovereignty and lasting peace. The party also played a significant role in People Power II that toppled the corrupt regime of Joseph Estrada. Platform & Policies
The Liberal Party is unique in the Philippines for its clear platform and principled stance on essential issues. First and foremost is a zealous regard for human rights and individual freedoms; democratic government and citizen involvement. This is the foundation for the LP’s goal of a free, just, democratic and progressive society.
The LP’s economic platform also reflects this goal. LP favors vigorous land reform, dismantling monopolies towards a freer market, building a sound industrial base, and promotion of local industries. The Party is also committed to fair and adequate wages and conditions for workers, and to the right to collective bargaining. Competitiveness is to be achieved through education, which, along with social services, should be a top priority in the national budget.
The ecological platform reflects LP’s recognition of the magnitude of the degradation of the’ environment. The Party advocates launching a massive reforestation program and banning the exportation of logs. Moreover, industrial development must not come at the cost of polluting the rivers and lakes that are traditional sources of livelihood for millions of Filipinos.
Finally, the Liberal Party recognizes the Philippines’ ethnic diversity. The Party thus favors a system of proportional representation to guarantee the rights of Muslims and other indigenous peoples. Education should also be a force for propagation of native Filipino culture. |
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