Party Filipinas – a short opinionated list of significant Political Parties in the Philippines

Political Parties has always been the core of a politician's achievements and even failures.  Since 1901 when the first political party was established in order to lobby for Philippine Independence from American rule, most of their objective was to promote political freedom and to campaign from individual political platforms, whether nationalistic or for autonomy.

Below is the list of what I considered political parties which had made an impact on the Philippine political scene, whether positive or negative:

Nacionalista Party(NP) – the oldest political party founded in 1907, 8 of our past presidents were members of NP when they won in their positions, including Marcos in 1965.  The party is guided by its conservative and nationalist ideology, hence, the name Nacionalista.  Unfortunately, after its political hiatus from the Martial Law years, the emergence of KBL, the 1992 multi-party system and other historically significant parties and even politicians who adhere to butterfly politics or balimbingan, the party was reduced to a minor political party which contests positions on local level, until its apparent “BUY-OUT” from its current standard bearer who doesn’t even wear the original party colors of red, white, blue, or green.

Liberal Party(LP) – nothing much to say except a breakaway of the NP, the party was founded in 1945.  Synonymous to the Plaza Miranda bombing, LP is often compared to the US Democratic Party with regards to its ideology.  In 1965, President Diosdado Macapagal changed his mind and decided to run for re-election(talk about dejavu 2004) while the Liberal Party was set to endorse Ferdinand Marcos as its standard bearer in the coming elections.  Marcos bolted to the NP and eventually won against Macapagal.  Today it is a third generation political party, with Noynoy Aquino(Ninoy Aquino’s son)  and party president Mar Roxas(a grandson of founder Manuel Roxas) as standard bearers.

Kilusang Bagong Lipunan(KBL) -  a supposedly unilateral party founded by president Ferdinand Marcos during the Martial Law years, it is now a laughing stock of the present political party system and is sometimes considered a nuisance for some of its election strategies.  Often, the party is used by nuisance candidates who are either mentally or politically incapable of governing the entire country.  It is also used by nuisance candidates with similar or familiar surnames in order to confuse the voting public from legitimate candidates.  Its only remaining reputable candidates are Presidential son Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the entire Marcos clan who still holds vast political influence in Ilocos Norte.

United Nationalists Democratic Organizations(UNIDO) -  the opposition party founded by former vice President Doy Laurel in the 80’s.  He was the party’s standard bearer when Marcos called for a snap elections in 1985.  He was even endorsed by Cory in June 1985 Party Convention, but after 5 months, she changed her mind and also announced running for president.  Doy said that he will only give way to Cory if she will run under the UNIDO party.  Cory rejected the offer first, and later again, for the second time, changed her mind and thus the opposition was united in the 1986 elections.

Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino(LDP) – the most dominant party in post EDSA era and was founded in 1988.  The party was the stepping stone of politicians with bigger ambitions.  It is the most bolted party and the root of the other emerging parties.  Fidel V. Ramos lost the party nomination, bolted, and founded Partido Lakas ng Tao(which would later become Lakas-NUCD-UMDP then Lakas-CMD and then later merged into Lakas-KAMPI) and was proclaimed president in 1992.  Gloria Arroyo and Peping Cojuangco were members of LDP when they bolted and founded KAMPI in 1997.  In 2004, the party was divided into 2 wings - the Aquino wing which supported Panfilo Lacson as standard bearer and the Angara wing which later became KNP(Kabalikat ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino) with Fernando Poe Jr. as presidential candidate.

Lakas - KAMPI(Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino) -  an “alliance” party founded by president Fidel V. Ramos after losing the LDP party nominations in 1992.  It was originally Partido Lakas ng Tao then later changed into Lakas-NUCD-UMDP after merging with NUCD(National Union of Christian Democrats) of Raul Manglapus ang UMDP(United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines) of Ambassador Sanchez Ali.  Later, it changed its name into Lakas-CMD(Christian and Muslim Democrats), and in 2008, it changed again into Lakas-KAMPI after merging with the KAMPI of Gloria Arroyo.  The party is often associated with HUNYANGO, a reptile which has the ability to change its color as a way of camouflage, depending on the environment (making an alliance with its surroundings).

Nationalists People Coalition(NPC) – the illustrious party founded in 1991 only to pursue the oligarchs’ ambitious bid for political power.  Its standard bearer in 1992 was Danding Cojuangco and is still the party’s influential leader with regards to its affiliations.  Its political power is derived from its unlimited source of funds for political campaigns.  The party then joins coalition with the majority in order to gain political clout.  This coming election, its standard bearer is labeled a “political prostitute” and the party is allied with anybody who has enough influence for the party to survive.  There is no known clear ideology except to follow the leader, whoever that is.

Epilogue:

The Philippine political party system is a unique party system.  It promotes weak party loyalty and defections are almost normal occurrences particularly in the weeks nearing the deadline of filing of candidacy.  Even secret alliances are in the works until the evening before Election Day.  Party affiliations change almost at the same time the blow of the wind changes.  Even the politicians running for elective post will sometimes drop some of their party-mates secretly for a considerable political favor, so ideological stand in any particular party does not carry a big weight come Election Day.

 

A Day (or Two) in the Life of a Newly-Registered Voter

Maaga akong gumising at nag-gayak.  Kung tutuusin, hindi naman masyadong importante ang araw para paghandaan.  Ang naka-ugalian na alas sais na pagtayo upang buksan ang water heater, ang jetmatic, at patayin ang ilaw sa bodega ay mas napaaga pa.  Pinilit kong gumising ng alas singko, isang oras pa bago sa itinakdang normal na oras ng pag-alarm ng cell phone dahil binigyan ako ng payo ng isang kaibigan.

“pre, dapat mas maaga ka pa sa alas syete kung magpapa-rehistro ka.”

At dahil masunurin naman ako sa mga mababait kong kaibigan, maaga akong umalis ng bahay.  Ginising ko lang ang anak ko upang sabihan na kailangan niyang maghandang mag-isa dahil may importante akong lalakarin.  Hindi ko na kailangan pang ipaliwananag na ang gagawin ko ay mahalaga para sa kapakanan ng inang bayan.  Marahil ay hindi pa niya lubusang naiintindihan kung bakit alas sais pa lang eh palabas na ako ng bahay.

Nakasakay agad ako ng traysikel, at pagdating sa kanto ay hindi rin nahirapan mag abang ng jeep.  Mabilis din ang byahe dahil siguro wala pang masyadong pasahero, yung iba nga pupungas pungas pa.  Meron pa ngang naka-idlip sa unahan ng jeep, dun sa may tabi ng drayber.  At pagdating ko sa munisipyo, mali ang sinabi ng kaibigan ko.  Dapat pala mas maaga pa sa alas sais ang punta ko.  Punyeta!  Ang haba na ng pila, tapos dalawa pa!  Pero imbes na panghinaan ng loob, pinilit aliwin ang sarili upang hindi ma-distract at magdalawang-isip na magparehistro. 

Nagtanong ako sa mga nakapila, ayos naman at medyo malinaw ang sistema ng pagrehistro dito sa amin.  May dalawang pila silang ipinairal.  Yung isang pila ay bibigyan ng number para sa query/validation at pagbibigay ng kaukulang form.  Pagka-validate ng pangalan mo at nabigyan ka na ng kaukulang form, pipila ka naman dun sa ikalawang pila at kukuha ng numero para sa tinatawag nilang biometrics, submission ng form, picture taking, fingerprint scanning, autograph signing este signature sample pala, at ang pag designate ng voting precint.  May sistema naman pala ang Comelec kahit papano.

Maaga akong dumating sa munisipyo pero sa maniwala kayo at sa hinde, pang singkuwenta ako sa pila.  Kung dun siguro ako natulog sa harap malamang una ako.  At yung numero ko eh para lang sa query yun.  Pero mabuti na rin yun, kasi nung nagbukas na ang opisina ng Comelec, 300 lang ang nakalaan na form para sa araw na yun dahil 300 ang tantya nilang mapo-prosesong dokumento sa buong araw. 

Pero minsan kahit anong ganda ng sistema ito ay pumapalpak din.  Sinabihan kami na makakakuha lang daw kami ng form ngayong araw at kinabukasan na lang daw kami kailangang bumalik upang ma proseso ang biometrics (BIOMATRIX ang nakasulat sa sign lols, pinagsamang BIOMAN at NEO ANDERSON).  Katwiran ng mga namamalakad eh dahil sa dami ng backlog sa biometrics, yung mga hindi na process ng mga nakaraang araw ay nakapila sa ngayong araw, hindi kakayanin ma process lahat kaya wala kaming magagawa kundi umuwi pagkakuha ng form at makipagsapalaran na lang ulit kinabukasan.  Umugong tuloy ang mga usap-usapang dahil meron inihatid na isang trak na mga botante upang iparehistro noong mga nakaraang araw kaya may backlog sa processing ng mga forms.  Ang masama pa dun hindi raw pinapila ang mga nasa trak at idineretso na raw ito sa loob.  Pagkakuha ng form mga bandang alas onse, umuwi na lang ako at doon sa bahay nag fill up ng form.

Kinabukasan, same drama pa rin.  Gumising ng alas singko, umalis ng alas sais, at dumating sa munisipyo na may mahaba nang pila.  Isa pa uling tumatanginting na punyeta dahil nung makuha ko ang number, pang 115 na ako!  Tinanghali na pala ako nung lagay na yun.  Ang kagandahan lang sa sistemang ipinairal nila, mahirap makasingit kasi limitado lang ang numero, hanggang 300 lang gaya ng nasabi ko kanina, at magkaiba ang numero ng kahapon ang ngayong araw.  Mahirap sumingit ang nagbabalak sumingit kasi kahit magpanggap kang may numero, yung form mo may numero rin tapos may pirma pa kaya dalawa ang numero mo para alam yung mga sumingit at may lehitimong numero sa pila.

Ang nagpapatagal lang sa pag proseso ay dahil 2 lang ang computer na gamit ng Comelec laban sa libo-libong nagpaparehistro.  Kung nung 1997 wala pang isang oras rehistrado na ako sa barangay hall, ngayon lahat ay sa comelec office lang magpapa rehistro.  Isipin mo na lang na lahat ng nakatira sa isang third class municipality eh ganyan na kahaba ang pila, papano na yung nasa siyudad? 

Natapos ang pag proseso ng dokumento ko mga banding alas dos.  Tiniis ang pagod, pasensya, at inip para lang sa karapatang bumoto.  Hindi na masama, lalo na sa mga katulad kong naghahangad ng pagbabago at pag-alis ng mga bulok na sistemang ipinaiiral ng mga kasalukuyang namumuno sa atin.  May mga nakilala rin bagong kaibigan, kasi kelangan kang makipagkilala para i-save yung pwesto mo sa pila kung sakali na magutom ka o mag CR ka.  Nakakalibang din naman yung mga kwentuhan at pagpapa cute sa mga nag-gagandahang dilag na malapit sa aming pila.

Nakakapagod man, panatag na ang loob ko na makakaboto na ako at magagamit ko ang kapangyarihan ng aking pagpili upang makamit ang inaasam kong pagbabago.  Hindi ko sinisisi ang sarili ko dahil late na ako nagparehistro.  Pwede ko naman sabihin na ito lang ang ibinigay sa akin na pagkakataon.  Sa totoo lang kaya kong magpa rehistro sa at least 4 na lugar dito sa Pilipinas.  Hinintay ko lang ang pinakahuling option ko.  At kahit mahaba ang pila, handa akong magtiis, kahit na isang beses lang tuwing 3 taon nagmamakaawa ang mga pulitiko sa mga ordinaryong taong katulad ko.  Kahit na pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay alipin tayo ng mga buwitreng namumuno sa atin sa loob ng 3 taon hanggang sa dumating ang susunod na eleksyon ay gagamitin ko ang kapangyarihang ipinagkaloob sa akin ng batas para sa kinabukasan ng bayan.  Naalala ko tuloy yung isang babae na sa sobrang inis sa nakitang pila ay umalis na lang bigla at nagsambit ng mga katagang… “Wala nang pag-asa ang Pilipinas!”  Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanya ay ganito: “Ineng, mali ka dyan… hanggang maraming nakapila dito, may pagasa pa ang bansa.  Ang sarili mo siguro wala nang pagasa pero kaming nagtitiis upang makaboto at mapalitan ang umiiral na sistemang bulok para sa kapakanan ng susunod na henerasyon, hindi mawawalan ng pagasa.” 

Where there is hope, there is pagasa.  Where there is pagasa, there is a typhoon!

Napa-praning na naman ako nyan… excited lang ako kasi makakaboto na ako sa darating na eleksyon!

Please... not another Kabalen in Malacañang...

Gearing up for 2010 presidential elections as of right now are cousins, Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.  If luck would go along with one of the two, there will be another Kapampangan president within the span of 30 years.  A historical record in a sort of way, but somehow a miserable failure in terms of governance.  Whenever we have a Kapampangan in Malacañang, the country has almost knocked itself in the brink of economic meltdown and political instability.  And if we look into our history, there has been a Kapampangan that has shaped the history of this nation, for better or for worse.

THE POOR MAN FROM LUBAO AND THE DAUGHTER

I cannot believe that Diosdado Macapagal is hailed as the poor man from Lubao, while their ancestor, the first Macapagal, is a datu from Arayat and a relative of Lakandula.  He betrayed his own people at the Spanish revolt and was rewarded a license to steal, cheat, and plunder (encomienda).  It could have been a conflict in interest to say that the heir to the Maestre Campo General of Candaba, Arayat and Apalit region during the Spanish era would be a poor man by the time the Spanish relinquishes possession of the Philippines to the Imperialist of the modern century.  He also floated the Philippine currency to the wishes of his “influencial advisers” which has contributed to the gradual economic disaster starting from his term.  It is not possible for a developing country to float its local monetary unit and maintain the stability in the rate of exchange for its currency in the exchange market.  He also tricked the people by announcing not to run for presidency for a second term, and reneged on his promise.  

Sounds familiar?  Yes, because this scenario was repeated in 2004 elections by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, twice stealing the presidency from the mandate of the people.  The daughter of the poor man from Lubao first stole the presidency from a semi-stupid, pro-poor president by a coup conspired with all the high ranking officials of the armed forces and the police.  Next, she broke her promise not to run for president, and conspired again with the military in cheating another popular pro-poor icon “winning by 1 million votes” through a telephone call.  The self proclaimed “economist” also promised economic stability by entering into “business agreements” disguised as Memorandum of Agreements and Economic and/or Military Treaties to other countries.  

COUSINS BY BLOOD

Well, the Cojuangcos and the Aquinos are from Tarlac, but historical and geographical facts tell that Tarlac does not have its own regional identity.  The Northern part of the province speaks Ilocano or Pangasinenses while the South part speaks, well, Kapampangan because of it’s proximity to Pampanga.  

I think Teodoro (believed to be the most favored nephew of Danding Cojuangco) may have adopted some negative Kapampangan traits.  This “Harvard graduate” has somehow played a loyal part of Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts in helping the country be the most corrupt government in Asia at the present.  He was believed to be instrumental in turning a blind eye for the interest of the people and has been supporting “influential pro-imperialist advisers and friends”.  Remember, he graduated in Harvard and has studied and learned the American way.  The US government already cannot support GMA since supporting her would be an insult in America’s “Advocacy for Democracy and Freedom”.  Since GMA is ineligible for another presidential term sans Charter Change, the US is believed to be supporting whoever she unanimously anoints as successor to her grand “imperial” ambition, and it would be Teodoro.

About Noynoy, perhaps his only advantage was his mother’s political integrity until her death.  Cory was known to be a symbol for democracy and integrity, and Noynoy plans to follow his mother’s path of righteousness, if elected.  And yet, Hacienda Luisita is in the midst of Agrarian Reform conflict from the Agrarian Reform Law instituted during his mother’s presidency.  Also, let us not forget the thousands of farmers who died in Mendiola.

Whoever wins from the Cojuangco clan will cater to the elite members of the society, and will probably ignore the poor.

RELEVANT OTHERS

Others have helped shaped Philippine history by theirs acts.  Remember the Macabebe spies, who helped American forces capture General Emilio Aguinaldo thereby ending the revolution and a chance for a genuine Philippine Republic after the Spanish era.  Well perhaps, this was payback time for Aguinaldo for his treachery to Bonifacio and the Katipunan.  Earlier historical accounts would have it that Aguinaldo instructed a certain Lazaro Makapagal(surname derivation) to execute Supremo Bonifacio and his brother Procopio.

Perhaps everything was mere coincidences, but still, I am not hoping for another Kapampangan to run this country into bankruptcy.  I believe their contributions have helped shaped our country in some ways, more negative and slightly devastating than we have hopes for.  It is time for us to look beyond their treachery and inconsistent political intricacies in the hope of attaining peace, progress, and development.

So please… I beg you… not another Kapampangan in Malacañang…

While everybody weeps...

Even when Michael Jackson's death flooded the news in the radios and televisions this morning, what caught my attention was the bold statement of Professor Randy David's announcement to run for Congress in the second district of Pampanga, believed to be location of the primary strategy of Gloria Arroyo's prime ministerial ambitions.  Professor David's plans of thwarting GMA's term extension is a bold move yet impossible in some degree with the Arroyos' enormous political clout from the well-watered palace grounds in Arlegui up to the flooded farmlands of Lubao.


Second district in Pampanga is where GMA plans to run for a Congressional position while waiting for Charter Change to push through via Constituents' Assembly initiated by the Congress, and then she will be accepting the nomination for the position of Prime Minister, thereby fulfilling her mission of extending her powers within the context of the constitution.  Although these ideas are all current speculations and has been denied to the fullest by GMA allies, everybody is wondering on what are Mrs. Arroyo’s plans post-2010 elections, if ever it will push through.  Apparently, nine years of misery, poverty, political bullying, and billions or millions of commissions are not enough for her and her cohorts that talks of her planned term extension circulated within the political community.  Whether the plan is true or not, I have always believed that there is a flame when there is smoke.  Gossips have a certain percentage of truth in order for it to be seriously discussed within the circulation.


The beleaguered Professor, a veteran of Gloria’s martial rule experiment last February 2006, will be facing his adversary on the coming 2010 elections, trying to prevent an unprecedented term extension being planned by the extremely rich daughter of the poor man from Lubao.  She wanted more power after 2010, he just wanted to make sure she doesn’t get any.


Everybody was frantic of Michael Jackson’s death and news has spread faster than AH1N1 virus.  And while everybody weeps at a certain superstar-slash-molester’s death today, a simple person in the name of Randy David has placed the fate of the entire nation into his hands to rid this country of the greedy.

If I were a Congressman...

some of my proposals if ever I get elected into Congress:


House Bill 6969 - An Act transfering the Congressional Sessions from Batasang Pambansa to MGM Grand in Las Vegas... dun kasi lagi may quorum, at hindi nale late ang mga congressman


House Resolution 0069 - A Resolution commending Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo for their humbling and modest decision to keep their wedding PRIVATE and SOLEMN... sa wakas walang nakakaumay at sobrang arteng preparations na napanood sa TV na pinag aagawan ng mga networks tapos sa bandang huli eh mauuwi din naman pala sa hiwalayan


House Bill 2.25(patterned after my highest grade in Mapua) - An Act dissolving all the Universities, downgrading them into specialized schools, and creating 2 year courses(i.e. 2 years lang Arki ka na... ENROL NA!)... lahat kasi gusto nila 2 years lang makapag abroad na, konti na lang kumukuha ng Architecture, Engineering, Medicine at Law dahil uugod-ugod ka na bago ka grumadweyt at hindi ka naman kikita ng malaki agad...


House Bill 00069 - An Act prohibiting politicians or anybody who ran on any local or national elections from JOINING any Sports Agencies... ang presidente ba ng BAP-SBP eh marunong magbasketbol? isa pa, hindi po dapat ginagawang kwalipikasyon ang pagiging mukhang kabayo para lang pwedeng tumakbo bilang head ng equestrian association or horse racing commision


eto lang muna wala pa akong maisip na iba... but my constituents' suggestions are welcome! at kayo yun!

kaya wag ninyo akong kakalimutan sa 2010!!!

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Updates:


House Bill 1,000,000 - An Act prohibiting the alumni of Pinoy Dream Academy, Pinoy Idol, and all those talent search contest to record SHITTY revivals of Eraserheads songs, Air Supply songs and all those certified classic hits unless he/she is a member of a rock band or unless they have a different song interpretation(i.e. ken leeee, tulibu dibu douchuuuu)


House Bill 200,000(patterned after “sec, may 200 ka rito”) - An Act granting incentives and privileges to those who BRIBED state witnesses and can daringly file PERJURY RAPS to the person he bribed, hold press conference with the family, and can convincingly call you "TOL" even if you are not related by blood...


House Bill 750cc - An Act providing sets of discount from traffic penalties to ALL motorcycles that has PNP stickers.  The set of discounts will be dependent on your motorcycle model(i.e. the more expensive, the higher the discount)... ano ka swerte??? Kung may pambili ka ng 400cc na motor, eh di may pambayad ka ng penalty… ipagbabawal na rin ang hindi pagsita sa lahat ng motor na may PNP stickers


House Bill 00000.5 - An Act reverting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport back into its grand old name Manila International Airport, thereby also setting the proper guidelines for naming an airport.  This bill will primarily oblige the naming of an airport from its location so as not to confuse tourists from their geographical knowledge of our beloved country(i.e. Laoag International Airport, Cebu International Airport)… ANG NINOY AQUINO AY HINDI ISANG LUGAR SA PARANAQUE!!!

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House Bill 12Rounds - An Act appointing Manny Pacquiao as Chief of the Philippine National Police, and thereby granting sensitive top logistical positions to other successful professional boxers into the PNP leadership for their track record of preventing an increase in the daily crime rate within the country every Sunday morning


House Bill 300Million -  An Act designating the Ambassadors of Iraq, Afghanistan and other war-affected countries to ex-military Generals for the very simple reason that Military(and Business) expertise are needed in war-torn countries rather than in the U.N., Vatican or other peaceful countries that has adequate amenities and privileges like Duty Free Shops, Disneylands, Casinos, Exclusive Resorts, Bruneiyukis, Legal Prostitutes(i.e. Netherlands), etc.