Progressive Party (Philippines)

Progressive Party of the Philippines - a reformist political party that is considered to be the earliest form of a genuine "3rd force" party against the then dominant political pair of the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party. After the rise to power of Ferdinand Marcos, the reformers took on the role of fighting the dictator for decades, defeated by a violent suppression.

Background

The party was founded in 1957, in response to the death of former president Ramon Magsaysay, by Manuel Manahan and Raul Manglapus. It was intended that the party pursue the goal of promoting reforms in policy and institution, and fighting graft and corruption that was alleged to be common in both the liberal and conservative members of the government in both the local and the national level. Other notables of the party included Vicente Araneta, who lost the vice-presidency to Diosdado Macapagal in 1957, and former members Blas Ople, and Richard Gordon, now a senator for the Nacionalistas. Eventually the party diminished after Manglapus lost the 1965 election to Marcos, even after reorganizing and renaming the party.

Eventually, leaders Manglapus and Manahan went on their separate ways, with Manglapus forming the CSM in 1968, thus placing the Progressives in the backburner. Still, many former members remained active though divided in principle. Some stood against the martial rule of the 1970s, and some helped Marcos in running the country, trying to reform the country through the system at the time. This division has kept the party weak ever since, and has delayed it from running for office. To date, the Progressives have contested 3 elections during the late 1950s and 1960s.

Current influences

Despite, the recent decline of the old party, the Progressives have been a great influence in the current state of the country as well. Elements of progressive political philosophy passed on to later politicians no matter what part of the political spectrum they may belong to. Individuals like Roco, a former senator, and Locsin, a representative in Congress, are considered progressive though not in party name, though the flagship party still exists.

Platform

An advocate of Progressivism in its economic and political agenda, the party is currently dormant, and is still seeking support from its core base from the growing educated anti-graft middle-class. Also called "PPP", "Party for Philippine Progress", and "PP", but widely known as "The Alternative".

See also

* List of political parties in the Philippines