Southeast Asian Studies. Vol. 27, No.3, December 1989

The Revolution and Realigntnent of Political Parties in the (Decetnber 1985-January 1988): With a Case in the Province of

Masataka KIMURA*

time, a new pro-Aquino party, Lakas ng I Introduction Bansa, was formed by political leaders close to President Aquino and attracted The revolutionD of February 1986 and many politicians at various levels who subsequent events drastically changed were supportive of her administration the alignment of political parties and regardless of their previous party affilia­ their power relations. The once-domi­ tions. The Liberal Party (LP)-Salonga nant Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) Wing also enhanced its strength; it disintegrated rapidly, once the then Pres­ started to take an independent course of ident Marcos fled the country. Its lead­ action, while remaining in the ruling ership splintered into a few groups; it coalition. Some parties became critical of lost many followers. The state of the President Aquino. The United Nationalist coalition of parties which supported Democratic Organization (UNIDO), for Aquino's candidacy in the special presi­ one, was frustrated by and dissatisfied dential election, or the as it with the Aquino Administration, though has been popularly called, also changed it barely remained in the ruling coalition. dramatically. For example, Partido The Mindanao Alliance and the Christian­ Demokratiko Pilipino Social Democratic Party (CSDP) left (PDP-Laban) increased its membership the coalition at an early stage and size rapidly by great magnitude; it joined the opposition. Bansang Nagkaisa strengthened the position of the conserva­ sa Diwa at Layunin (BANDILA)2) tive bloc against that of the progressive increased its membership immediately bloc within the party and conflicts be­ 2) BANDILA decided, at its Second National tween the two aggravated. At the same Congress in October 1986, to remain a movement with a defined partnership agree­ **M~~. Asian Center, University of the ment with one (or more) Philippines, Diliman, City, Metro or coalition of parties, in spite of a pref­ , the Philippines erence among certain segments of its I) There is an argument against using the leadership to transform it into a political term "revolution" on the ground that the party or create its own political party. February incident did not bring about any However, BANDILA is included in this significant change either in the Philippine paper together with political parties on the social structure or in the socio-economic grounds that it played a significant role in characteristics of the ruling elite. the special presidencial election and the /'

352 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines after the revolution and then became ratification and a revolution. The pe­ not so visible as it used to be before riod, therefore, is a very interesting and the revolution. Leftist forces, which convenient period for studies of political boycotted the special presidential elec­ parties. The account of the process is tion and were left out of the revolution, basically descriptive and divided into formed a new legal leftist party called two parts. The first part tries to outline Partido ng Bayan (PnB), which main­ the political development at the national tained close relations with another leftist level. The second part focuses on the organization, Bagong Alyansang Maka­ development in the province of Batan­ bayan (BAYAN) . gag3) as a case at a local level. This

An examination of the process 1Il was attempted to show that what took which the realignment of political parties place at the two different levels were developed and their power relations closely interrelated and that they took changed will shed light on certain im­ place according to their own respective portant aspects of the characteristics of logic and motives highly independent the Philippine political parties and party of each other in spite of the close inter­ system and of the behavior of party pol­ relations especially in the case of so­ iticians as well as of the nature of the called traditional political parties.4) revolution. What follows is an attempt with this view to give a brief account of II The National Scene the process of realignment of political parties and of the change in their power The special presidential election which relations which took place during a pe­ preceded and triggered off the revolu­ riod from the beginning of the special tion was a contest between KBL's presi­ presidential election campaign in De­ dential and vice-presidential candidates, cember 1985 until the local elections of namely, Ferdinand E. Marcos and Arturo January 1988. The period which covered M. Tolentino on the one hand and only two years and a few months was an the UNIDO-Laban ng Bayan coalition's extremely hectic period which underwent 3) The author has been conducting a case five dramatic political events, namely, study of elections and politics in Batangas three sets of elections, a constitutional since 1984. A part of its results, which will be his dissertation, was utilized here '\.revolution and that it intends to participate to give a case of realignment of political in the electoral process as well as in extra­ parties at the provincial level. Since stud­ parliamentary activities. 0 n the other ies on party politics at the provincial hand, the Communist Party of the Philip­ level are scarce, it will give some insights pines (CPP) is not included on the grounds into the state of political parties at this that it resorts to non-electoral activities level. or armed struggle, that it did not play 4) The term "traditional political party" here any significant role in the election and the refers to a kind of party which is built revolution, and that the author does not primarily upon networks of dyadic relations have sufficient data on its state during between individuals as described by Lande the period covered in this paper. [1964J.

353 Corazon C. Aquino and Salvador H. It had dominated , Laurel on the other hand, with leftist the national legislature, by controlling forces under BAYAN boycotting the about two thirds of its seats; it had al­ election. Almost all the political parties most monopolized local elective posi­ and organizations were aligned into the tions in most of the provinces, cities, and three groups. The municipalities all over the country.6) The (NP)-Roy Wing which had been closely then opposition, on the other hand, had aligned with KBL supported the Marcos­ been fragmented. They had had little Tolentino ticket. Laban ng Bayan was say in the policy making process under initially formed by eight parties and or­ the authoritarian regime; militant organ­ ganizations: they were the LP-Salonga izations had been resorting to non-par­ Wing, PDP-Laban, Panaghiusa, the liamentary struggles such as large-scale Young Philippines Party, Bicol Saro, the demonstrations. The state of fragmen­ National Union of Christian Democrats tation was well reflected in the great (NUCD), the Convenor Group and difficulty the opposition encountered in BANDILA [Laban ng Bayan 1985: 1­ agreeing on one common presidential 2J. Then, the Mindanao Alliance, the candidate, when the special presidential Muslim Federal Party, CSDP, the Na­ election became imminent. It was only tional Union for Liberation (NUL) and on December 11, the last day to file a Laban ni Ninoy sa Gitnang Luzon also certificate of candidacy, that Laurel, the adhered to Laban ng Bayan [ibid.: Ex­ president and presidential candidate of hibit D].5) There were some parties UNIDO, accepted the presidential can­ that were not aligned into the three didacy of Aquino, the candidate of Laban groups. For example, the LP-Kalaw ng Bayan, to become her running-mate Wing fielded for on the condition that both of them run Vice-President, while supporting Aquino under the banner of UNIDO [Cunanan for President. Ruben R. Canoy ran for 1985: 6-7J. The coalition between UNI the presidency under the Social Dem­ DO and Laban ng Bayan was formal­ ocratic Party. But, these parties were ized even later in the campaign period minor forces as evident in the number [Anonymous 1986b: 1 & 10J. ofvotes they received. Before the revolution, KBL had been 6) In the 1980 local elections which were the last local elections before the revolution, the powerful ruling party under the lead­ all but four elected governors were KBL ership of the then President Marcos. in the country's seventy-three provinces. The four non-KBL governors were Natalia 5) Since the Mindanao Alliance and NUL as F. Dumlao (NUL) of , Jose well as Bicol Saro had been member organ­ C. Laurel, V (NP) of Batangas, Federico izations of UNIDO, it seems to suggest O. Mengote (Independent) of Eastern that they switched from UNIDO to Laban Samar, and Homobono Adaza (Mindanao ng Bayan or synonymously from Laurel to Alliance) of . See Philip­ Aquino at the last stage of the unification pines, Commission on Elections [Undated­ process of the opposition. a].

354 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

The presidential election turned out to from Marcos as early as March 7 at a be an unprecedentedly fraudulent one. meeting of the KBL Executive Commit­ Its aftermath led to the revolution. The tee. On March 13, a group of KBL

process leading to the revolution IS a members led by Ople made an agree­ much talked about story, which does not ment to form a new party from the need to be repeated here. Marcos fled ranks of KBL reformists. On March 15, the country on February 25, 1986 to go the formation of Partido Nacionalista into exile in Hawaii. Aquino took oath ng Pilipinas (PNP) was announced. to be President earlier on the same day PNP adopted a policy of "critical coop­ and appointed her cabinet members im­ eration" with the Aquino Administration. mediately. The Aquino Government was Along this policy, it accepted President a revolutionary government in the sense Aquino's invitation to serve m the that it was installed by a collaboration Constitutional Commission; four of its of the so-called "people's power" and leaders, namely, BIas Ople, Regalado rebel soldiers led by Defense Minister Maambong, Teodulo Natividad and and the Chief of Rustico de los Reyes, Jr. became consti­ Staff, Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos, in defiance tutional commissioners [Ople 1987: PNP of the 1973 Constitution. With her dic­ Chronology]. tatorial power, President Aquino issued The NP-Roy Wing was also involved on March 25, 1986 Proclamation No. 3 in the move of Ople's group. In fact, otherwise known as Peaceful Constitu­ the NP-Roy Wing, under the presidency tion and abolished Batasang Pambansa of Rafael Palmares who succeeded for­ together with the 1973 Constitution. The mer Sanator upon his death new government also started to replace shortly after the revolution, was negoti- by appointment the local elective offi­ ating with PNP for a merger agreement cials who were mostly KBL with those in April. But the merger was not who had campaigned for the Aquino­ pushed through because Palmares, now Laurel tandem in the special presidential joined by Renato Cayetano, a KBL as­ election. semblyman and close friend of Enrile, Immediately after the revolution, the decided to reorganize NP with Cayetano KBL national leadership began to assess as the secretary general. On August 19, the new situation and to search for a on the occassion of Manuel Quezon's way to deal with it. While former Pres­ I03rd birthday, the revitalized Naciona­ ident Marcos was still trying to main­ lista Party, which was often called NP­ tain his control over KBL from Hawaii Cayetano Wing, proclaimed a new begin­ through his close associates such as ning. Many KBLs joined the NP­ Nicanor Yniguez and Jose Rono, BIas Cayetano Wing among them Olongapo Ople, Marcos' Labor Minister, made City Mayor Richard Gordon, Assembly­ clear that he was completely disengaging men Victor Agbayani, Antonio Carag,

355 Pedro Mendiola, etc. [Nacionalista Party the NP-Cayetano Wing after he was 1986: 1-2J. According to Ople, "It became dismissed from his cabinet post by Presi­ attractive even to members of the PNP dent Aquino in November 1986. and of the KBL because a strong im­ While many KBL leaders abandoned pression was created that the new group­ KBL at an early stage, there were still ing was designed to be a political vehi­ many who stuck to their party at least cle for the then Minister of National for the moment. As of July 9, 1986, Defense, Hon. Juan Ponce Enrile, whose members of its Central Committee were political objectives were deemed compat­ reported to include not a few prominent ible with the interests of KBL assembly­ politicians (see List 1). men, governors and mayors who were As described above, most of the na­ thrown out of their elective posts with tional leadership of KBL either joined the abrogation by President Aquino of PNP or the NP-Cayetano Wing, or re­ the Constitution of 1973 and the instal­ mained as KBL; all the three parties were lation of a revolutionary government" in opposition. There were, however, some [Ople 1987: 2]. Enrile formally joined different cases which have to be noted.

List 1 Members of KBL Central Committee as of July 9, 1986

Titular Head Acting President Nicanor Yniguez Acting Secretary-General Manuel Garcia Acting Treasurer Edith Rabat Regional Chairman (Region I) Conrado Estrella Regional Chairman (Region II) Faustino Dy Regional Chairman (Region III) Mercedes Teodoro Regional Chairman (Region IV) Isidro Rodriguez Regional Chairman (Region V) Felix Fuentebella Regional Chairman (Region VI) Salvador Britanico Regional Chairman (Region VII) Lorenzo Teves Regional Chairman (Region VIII) Jose Rono Regional Chairman (Region IX) Vicente Cerilles Regional Chairman (Region X) Constantino Navarro Regional Chairman (Region XI) Alejandro Almendras Regional Chairman (Region XII) Ali Dimaporo Regional Chairman (NCR)* Gerardo Espina Concon Representative Antonio Tupaz IBP representative Rogelio Quiambao Representative of former Congressmen Ramon Duran Representative of former Senators Wenceslao Lagumbay President, City Mayor's League representative Honorato Perez President, Municipal Mayor's League of the Philippines Evaristo Singson Chairman, National Association of Captains Nora Petines * NCR: National Capital Region Source: [Yniguez 1986J

356 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

For example, former Prime Minister making process of the Aquino Adminis­ Cesar Virata announced his retirement tration turned out to be small. This was from politics some time after the revolu­ enough to cause dissatisfaction among tion. Some like Agusto G. Ortiz, an UNIDO leaders. , secretary­ Assemblyman from Sorsogon, and Ro­ general of UNIDO, became most crit­ dolfo P. del Rosario, an Assemblyman ical against the Aquino Administration from Davao del Norte joined Lakas ng at an early stage for this reason. Since Bansa, a new party under the ruling coa­ then, UNIDO's leaders had come to lition supporting President Aquino, when perceive that it had been slighted by it was formed in November 1986 [Anon­ President Aquino compared with other ymous 1986c: 1 & 2; 1986d: 3; Phil­ parties under the ruling coalition. The ippines, Records and Statistics Division, situation was aggravated when UNIDO Commission on Elections Undated]. could not get as many slots as they had But, to join the ruling coalition was an expected in the ruling coalition's senato­ exceptional course of action among the rial ticket which was selected by Presi­ high level leadership of KBL. dent Aquino for the congressional and The parties under the ruling coalition senatorial elections in May 11, 1987. Dur­ or the former opposition parties which ing this period, two prominent UNIDO supported Aquino and Laurel, namely, leaders, Rene Espina and the then Dep­ UNIDO and those united under Laban uty Defense Secretary Wilson Gamboa, ng Bayan, were not to be as they had left the party and joined the opposition. been either. Perhaps, UNIDO was one PDP-Laban, in contrast, grew rapidly of the most frustrated parties by the sit­ in its political influence and membership uation that emerged after the revolution. size. The fact that it came into power When Aquino and Laurel formed a uni­ and the perception that it was the party fied opposition ticket against Marcos for closest to President Aquino because it the special presidential election, there endorsed 's presidential was an agreement that thirty percent of candidacy at an early time and included the Cabinet posts would go to UNIDO. among its highest leaders Jose Cojuangco, But President Aquino did not honor the Jr., a younger brother of President agreement for the reason that it was ne­ Aquino, attracted many politicians at various levels. Before the revolution, gated by changing conditions brought about by the revolution [Anonymous PDP-Laban had only about ten thou­ sand members.7) By the time its sixth 1987i: 8J. Vice-President Laurel's prime national assembly, the second after the ministership was also annulled when Pres­ revolution, was held in October 1986, its ident Aquino abolished the 1973 Consti­ tution which provided a semiparliamen­ 7) Interview, Mimi Abdul (a secretary of PDP-Laban), Office of Sen. Aquilino tary system of government. Vice-Presi­ Pimentel, Jr., Maya Building, Cubao, dent Laurel's influence in the decision , June 20, 1988.

357 membership size expanded to nearly two which eventually transformed itself into hundred thousand.S) The expansion was a political party before the congressional brought about mainly by affiliations of and senatorial elections of May 1987. traditional politicians at local levels, Lakas ng Bansa envisioned to organize many of whom were formerly affiliated individuals and members of all political with KBL and now gravitated toward the parties, forces, organizations, movements new power center. There were many cases and groups who would support the in which the recruitment of new mem­ Aquino Administration [Lakas ng Bansa bers was done without full compliance 1986: Article II, Section II, 4J. In fact, with procedures relative to the member­ it recruited members of various political ship admission such as attendance to a parties including former KBLs. The sixteen-hour two-day membership semi­ principal officers of Lakas ng Bansa with nar. This created a conflict between the their government positions and previous progressive bloc led by Aquilino Pimen­ party affiliations were as provided in tel, Jr. that insisted on strict screening List 2. in membership admission and on the That the majority of the principal offi­ party platform on the one hand and the cers of Lakas ng Bansa were cabinet conservative bloc led by Jose Cojuangco, ministers and other high government of­ Jr. that generally followed a traditional ficials and that it involved President pattern of politics on the other hand.9) Aquino's close relatives such as Jose The momentum was in favor of the con­ Cojuangco, Jr., a brother, Paul Aquino, servative bloc and resulted in the elec­ a brother-in-law, and Emigdio S. Tan- tion of Jose Cojuangco, Jr. as its party juatco, Jr., a cousin, created an image head to replace Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. in that it was a political party of President its sixth national assembly. PDP-Laban's Aquino, though she remained unidenti­ once progressive character was fatally fied with any specific political party. weakened and the relations between the Lakas ng Bansa grew rapidly by incorpo­ two blocs continued to deteriorate. rating many politicians who gravitated to The rise of PDP-Laban was not un­ the second new power center. Interest­ challenged among pro-Aquino Parties. ingly, many of its principal officers were On November 10, 1986, a new grouping former ranking UNIDO officers who were of pro-Aquino political leaders, many of allies of Vice-President Laurel at least whom were cabinet ministers, launched a movement called Lakas ng Bansa, until Corazon Aquino appeared to be a presidential candidate. Some like Leticia 8) Interview, Joseph Lefiada (assistant staff of R. Shahani and Heherson T. Alvarez PDP-Laban), Cojuangco Building, , August 2, 1988. were not affiliated with any major political 9) Interview, Tonyo Santos (a chapter chair­ parties before the revolution. It also man of PDP-Laban in ), Office of Sen. Pimentel, Maya Building, Cubao, accepted former KBLs who switched June 20, 1988. their loyalty to President Aquino. From

358 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

List 2 Principal Officers of Lakas ng Bansa with Their Government Positions at the Time of its Inception and Party Affiliations Before the Revolution

President Neptali A. Gonzales Minister of Justice UNIDO Secretary-General Emigdio S. Tanjuatco, Jr. (No Data) PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary-General Paul Aquino None (Businessman) (No Data) Deputy Secretary-General Jose Malvar Villegas, Jr. None Lapiang Manggagawa Treasurer Manuel B. Samora, Jr. (No Data) (No Data) Chairman, Region I Ernesto M. Maceda Minister of Natural Resources UNIDO Co-Chairman~ Region I Leticia R. Shahani Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs None (in Foreign Service) Chairman~ Region II Heherson T. Alvarez Minister of Agrarian Reform None (US-based Ninoy Aquino movement) Chairman, Region III Rogaciano M. Mercado Minister of Public Works and Highways UNIDO Chairman~ Region IV Ramon V. Mitra Minister of Agriculture PDP-Laban Chairman, Region V Luis R. Villafuerte Minister, Presidential Commission on Government Reorganization UNIDO Chairman, Region VI Arthur D. Defensor (No Data) UNIDO Chairman, Region VII Antonio V. Cuenco Minister of State For Political Affairs PDP-Laban (Panaghiusa Coalition) Chairman, Region VIII Emil L. Ong Administrator of National Food Authority PDP-Laban Chairman, Region IX Elnorita P. Tugung (No Data) (No Data) Co-Chairman, Region X Carlos O. Fortich o IC governor of Bukidnon KBL* Co-Chairman, Region X Vicente T. Emano (No Data) (No Data) Chairman, Region XI Luis T. Santos (No Data) (No Data) Chairman, Region XII Omar M. Dianalan (No Data) (No Data)

359 List 2-Continued

Chairman, NCR Alberto G. Romulo Minister of Budget UNIDO *Fortich defected from KBL and joined UNIDO amid the presidential election campaign [Anonymous 1986a: 1 & 6J. Source: Lakas ng Bansa [1987: Annex AJ. Identification of their government positions were gathered from newspaper articles. For Identifications of their previous party affiliations, a list of Batasang Pambansa assemblymen [Philippines, Batasang Pambansa 1985J, news­ paper articles and an interview with a former Lakas ng Bansa Organizer were used. the above, it may be argued that Lakas ng Bayan and supported Aquino and ng Bansa was an attempt to ease out Laurel in the special presidential elec­ other parties under the ruling coalition, tion, eventually left the ruling coalition especially UNIDO, in order to become and joined the opposition. Neither of a dominant administration party by the two leaders were appointed by Presi­ those politicians who threw their support dent Aquino to any significant govern­ to President Aquino. This may be one ment position. The LP-Kalaw Wing of the reasons why the respective top which supported Aquino for President leadership of UNIDO, LP-Salonga Wing and Eva Kalaw for Vice-President outside and NUCD kept distance from Lakas the UNIDO-Laban ng Bayan coalition ng Bansa. While some prominent PDP­ also joined the opposition. Laban leaders joined it, Aquilino Pimen­ The political condition that emerged tel, Jr., a leader of its progressive bloc, after the revolution added a new element did not join Lakas ng Bansa in spite to the Philippine political party system. of an invitation. When Lakas ng Bansa On August 30, a legal party of leftist became a political party, many of the forces named Partido ng Bayan (PnB) PDP-Laban leaders such as Ramon V. was formally proclaimed at its founding Mitra remained in Lakas ng Bansa, congress. It will be reasonable to be­ thereby abandoning their membership in lieve that the party was a brainchild of PDP-Laban, though Jose Cojuangco, Jr. Jose Ma. Sison, the founder and former remained in PDP-Laban as its chairman. chairman of the Communist Party of The LP-Salonga Wing and NUCDwhich the Philippines (CPP) , who worked as was revitalized after Chairman of the Preparatory Commis­ came back from his exile in the United sion of PnB. Sison and Bernabe Bus­ States also increased their strength. But cayno, the founder of the New People's the two remained in relatively low profile Army (NPA), both of whom had been compared with the three parties referred imprisoned until released by the Aquino to above. Administration six months before, were The Mindanao Alliance led by Homo­ among those seated at the main table at bono Adaza and CSDP led by Francisco the founding congress. The late Rolando Tatad, both of which had joined Laban M. alalia, the then chairman of Kilu-

360 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines sang Mayo Uno (KMU), a radical labor But the process of reconstruction seemed confederation, became Chairman of PnB. full of hardships such as harassment by In Sison's words, the party was "the rightists including the assassination of fruit of the well-developed legal demo­ National Vice-President Rolando Olalia cratic movement which includes the in November 1986 and of Secretary Gen­ mass organizations of the working class, eral Leandro Alejandro in September peasantry, urban petty bourgeoisie and 1987, and financial constraints. middle bourgeoisie, as well as the sectoral BANDILA, in contrast, expanded sig­ and multisectoral alliances of these mass nificantly after the revolution. It was organizations" [Sison Undated: lJ, and among the first political organizations "a response to the long crying need for to endorse the presidential candidacy of a legal party that can strive to break the Corazon Aquino. It marshalled its organ- monopoly of the exploiting classes over ization resources to augment the cam­ the electoral process and serve as the paign machinery of Aquino as well as to instrument of the exploited classes" prepare the citizenry for vigilante action [ibid.: 2]. during and after the polls. It also used The picture of realignment of political this opportunity to expand its influence parties is not complete without taking and organization in the regions and into consideration the two major um­ provinces [BANDILA 1986: 8J. In the brella organizations of cause-oriented February uprising, BANDILA immedi­ groups and sectoral and multi-sectoral ately responded through its president, groups, namely, BAYAN and BANDILA. Agapito Aquino, to the situation created BAVAN's boycott position in the special by the rebel soldiers and mobilized its presidential election created disunity and members which formed the confusion in the organization. It suffered initial force of what was to be known a host of leaves-of-absence and resig­ as "people's power" on EDSA. BANDI nations among its leaders. The boycott LA, unlike BAYAN, responded success­ position did not get the broad support fully to the sentiment of the masses and of the masses. BAYAN's mass mobiliza­ continued to expand its popular support tion capacity fell dramatically, and its in the period immediately after the revo­ detachment from the masses was most lution. By October 1986 when its second serious in Metro Manila and in some ma­ national congress was held, the number jor cities [BAYAN 1986: 12-16J. Be­ of BANDILA member organizations and cause of this, it was left out of the Feb­ local chapters reportedly increased to ruary uprising and, therefore, could not 434 in twelve regions, forty-six prov­ participate in shaping the political course inces, thirty-six cities and eleven munici­ of the country after the revolution. palities in Metro Manila. In addition, The period after the revolution was a its membership was complemented by period of reconstruction of BAYAN. national sectoral partner organizations

361 such as the Federation of Free Workers Kalaw Wing, CSDP, Pusyon Bisaya and (FFW) and Lakas ng Magsasakang Pili­ Timawa [Anonymous 1987a: 1 & 6; pino (LMP) and multi-sectoral coalitions 1987b: 1 & 11; 1987c: 1 & 2]. PNP and alliances, such as kapulungan ng led by Ople did not join CODA and mga Sandigan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI), campaigned for the constitution on the the total number of member organi­ ground that four PNP leaders were zations reaching 1,047 [ibid.: 20-23]. members of the Constitutional Commis­ Thereafter, however, BANDILA grad­ sion that drafted the constitution and ually became less active than before. that its ratification could pave the way There were a number of reasons for this. for the normalization of the country's After the revolution, it became a de facto political system [Anonymous 1987d: 3J. member of the ruling coalition and BAYAN failed to reach a definitive po­ many of its leaders and members entered sition and adopted a noncommittal "con­ the Aquino Administration. The kind science vote" policy, giving its members of activities such as mass actions that it the option to approve or reject the con­ had resorted to during its anti-Marcos stitution. KMU and Kilusang Magbu­ bukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the two struggle became irrelevant in the new largest member organizations of BAYAN, political condition brought about by the however, campaigned for its rejection restoration of democracy. The rapid [Anonymous 1986d: 8]. The position membership expansion and affiliation of of PnB was deferment of the ratification. diverse organizations seem to have under­ It was because peace negotiations between mined its organizational cohesiveness. the government and the National Dem­ Also, it lacked a clear-cut, immediate ocratic Front (NDF) had started and common goal such as dismantlement of ratification of the constitution would the Marcos regime. circumscribe terms of the negotiations.10) By the time of the plebiscite in Feb­ The result of the plebiscite, after all, was ruary 1987 for ratification of a newly that "Yes" vote garnered 76.37 percent drafted constitution, the realignment of while "No" vote got 22.65 percent of the political parties came into a shape. The 25 million registered voters [Anonymous parties under the ruling coalition were 1987e: I & 16J: the constitution was campaigning solidly for approval of the ratified. new constitution together with BANDI In the congressional and senatorial LA. The major traditional opposition elections on May 11, 1987, there had parties, except for PNP, came to form emerged four major groupings of politi­ the Coalition for Democratic Action (CO cal parties, namely, Lakas ng Bayan, the DA) on January 14 to campaign against Grand Alliance for Democracy (GAD), the constitution. Those that joined CO DA included KBL, the NP-Cayetano 10) Interview with Lui Gamit, Acting Secre­ tary General of PnB, Mariwasa Bldg., Wing, the Mindanao Alliance, the LP- Cubao, Quezon City, July 5~ 1988.

362 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

Union for Peace and Progress-Kilusang seven; PnB won only two; and others in­ Bagong Lipunan (UPP-KBL), and the cluding independents won twenty-six Alliance for New Politics. Lakas ng [Philippines, Commission on Elections Bayan was a name for the ruling coalition Undated-c].tD composed of Lakas ng Bansa, PDP­ The realignment of political parties Laban, UNIDO, the LP-Salonga Wing did not end here; it continued toward and NUCD. BANDILA supported Lakas the forthcoming local elections. The ng Bayan. GAD was a new umbrella first major event that took place in this organization of seven opposition parties, context came shortly after a coup at­ namely, the NP-Cayetano Wing, PNP, the tempt of August 28 by a segment of the Mindanao Alliance, the LP-Kalaw Wing, military led by Col. Gringo Honasan, CSDP, a segment of KBL, and Muslim that is, the Aquino-Laurel split. The Federal Party. The UPP-KBL was com­ Aquino Administration had been threat­ posed mainly of those KBLs who were still ened by a series of military coup attempts closely identified with former President since July 1986, and this one posed Marcos. Alliance for New Politics was the most serious threat. Vice-President an Alliance of PnB, BAYAN and other Laurel immediately took a pro-military leftist forces. It has to be noted, how­ posture and tendered his resignation ever, that, while the senatorial contests on September 8, ClUng fundamental were fought based on the four groupings, differences with President Aquino over there were many congressional districts the handling of the insurgency problem. This move of Laurel developed into in which more complicated political an attempt to form a strong opposition alignments emerged. For example, there group. Negotiations for this purpose were many districts in which Lakas ng started between Laurel and Enrile, who Bayan could not agree on common ad­ headed UNIDO and NP-Cayetano Wing ministration candidates and infighting respectively. Leaders of other opposi­ among the parties under the ruling coa­ tion parties such as BIas Ople of PNP lition took place. There were also many and Isidro Rodriguez of KBL also par­ districts in which PnB and BAYAN did ticipated in the negotiations. The devel­ not have their own candidates and sup­ opment resulted in a kind of revival of ported those of other parties or indepen­ the old Nacionalista Party without the dents on a case-to-case basis. The result Laurel Wing. The Nacionalista Party of the elections was a landslide for the (hereinafter, NP-Enrile Wing) was joined ruling coalition. It won twenty-two of the twenty-four senatorial seats, while 11) Partido Panaghiusa was counted as a party under Lakas ng Bayan together with the GAD won only two. Of the two hun­ five parties which composed it. There were dred congressional seats, the ruling coali­ seven cases of LP without specification, which were counted as LP-Salonga Wing tion won one hundred forty-five; GAD at the risk of including some LP-Kalaw and UPP-KBL combined won twenty- Wing congressmen in Lakas ng Bayan.

363 by many former Nacionalista politicians Mercado from UNIDO, Sen. Joseph who were under KBL such as Arturo Estrada from the opposition, Sen. Rene Tolentino, Isidro Rodriguez, BIas Ople, Saguisag, former President of Constitu­ Jose Rono, Wenceslao Lagumbay, Rodo­ tional Commission, Cecilia Munos-Palma, Ifo Albano, etc., leaving only Marcos and fifteen congressmen [Ronquillo loyalists to KBL. Homobono Adaza 1987b: 1 & 8J. On January 12, 1988, of the Mindanao Alliance and Rene Sen. Teofisto Guingona and Mar Espina also joined the NP-Enrile Wing. Canonigo who were Honorary Chairman Rodriguez became its acting president and Secretary General of BANDILA also and Ople became its secretary-general, joined the LP-Salonga Wing with their with Enrile as its titular head.12) At a following in BANDILA [Anonymous press conference on November 14, the 1988a: 1 & 10J. This move of the LP­ party announced its intention to field Salonga Wing could be seen not only as candidates in the forthcoming local polls a preparation for the local elections but [Guevarra 1987: 1 & 2J. On the other also as that for the presidential election in hand, many leaders of UNIDO, of 1992. At the same time, which the NP-Laurel Wing constituted the who had become Senate President began core, are said to have resisted the move to take an independent posture from of Laurel to join the opposition, mainly the Aquino Administration, saying, because they had too much vested in­ "Cooperation but never subservience" terest in the Aquino Administration to [loco cit.J; the party had already fielded lose by doing so. UNIDa eventually its own candidates for the local elections chose to remain in the ruling coalition, [Estella 1988: 1 & 2]. Earlier, UNIDO the decision leading to a reconciliation had also announced its intention to field between Aquino and Laurel on December 2, 1987 at the beginning of the cam­ candidates in the local elections. This paign period of the local elections [Rueda situation prompted another two major 1987: 1 & 9J. parties under the ruling coalition, namely, As the local elections approached, PDP-Laban headed by Jose Cojuangco, other political parties also started to Jr. and Lakas ng Bansa headed by try to expand and to consolidate their Paul Aquino, its acting president, to organizations. Perhaps, the LP-Salonga form a tactical alliance to field common Wing was the one that expanded most candidates to be proclaimed by President visibly. As of November 8, it was re­ Aquino [Logarta 1987: 1 & 10J. ported to have recruited Sen. Orlando Pimentel's bloc in PDP-Laban, however, did not follow the alliance [Ronquillo 12) Interviews with Isidro Rodriguez, Resi­ dence, , July 5, 1988, and 1987c: 3J. with BIas Ople, Manila Peninsula Hotel, The result of the elections was again Makati, July 20, 1988. Also see Ronquillo [1987a: 1 & 8], Guevarra [1987: 1 & 2], an overwhelming victory of .parties un­ Anonymous [1987j: 1 & 7; 19871: 1 & 15J. der the ruling coalition, especially Lakas 364 M. KIMURA:' Political Parties in the Philippines

Table 1 Party Affiliations of Provincial Table 2 Party Affiliations of Ole Gover­ Governors Elected in the 1988 nors Immediately Before the 1988 Local Elections Local Elections

Lakas ng Bansa (LB) 14 UNIDO 22 PDP-Laban 12 PDP-Laban 15 PDP-Laban/LB 10 Lakas ng Bansa 15 LP 6 LP 3 UNIDO 4 KBL 1 NP 3 Panaghiusa I PDP-Laban/LP/LB 3 No Data 16 KBL 2 Total 73 LB/LP I UNIDO/LB I Source: Philippines, Department of Local UNIDO/PDP-Laban I Government, Electronic Data Processing Service [1987J LP/PDP-Laban/NUCD I Ruling Coalition 1 Local Parties 4 parties under the ruling coalition (see Independents 7 Table 1). A comparison with party affil­ No Data 3 iations of Ole (officer-in-charge) gov­ Total 73 ernors who were appointed after the rev­ Source: Commission on Elections olution (see Table 2) indicates that the Note: Party identifications are based on number of governors under Lakas ng certificates of candidacy. The cases of two or more parties seem to be Bansa and PDP-Laban increased at the results of an elusive nature of mem­ cost of UNIDO. The opposition could bership in Philippine traditional po­ litical parties. They may as well be not make much headway; especially, interpreted that the governors were KBL which had almost monopolized lo­ candidates endorsed by two or more cal elective positions in most of the prov­ parties as their coalition candidates. In tabulation, BILEG Ti La Union inces before the revolution was reduced (La Union), Balane (Nueva Ecija), to a powerless minor party. Magdalo (), and Panaghiusa () were counted as local par­ ties; two KBLs included one inde­ III A Provincial Scene pendent KBL; and PDP-Laban/IPP was counted as PDP-Laban and (A Case in Batangas) Lakas ng Bansa/LLB as Lakas ng Bansa. In the province of Batangas before the revolution, there were only two major ng Bansa and PDP-Laban, except for political parties, namely, KBL and Regions I and II where opposition and UNIDO. Other parties were either non­ independent candidates made a fairly existent or very weak. All the elective strong showing. As for the seventy-three government positions in the province were provincial governors, for example, at occupied by KBL and UNIDO, except least fifty-four of them were elected as that one city vice-mayor and some city and candidates of parties or coalitions of municipal councilors were independent.

365 The Governor was UNIDO, while the August 1986 by all the twenty-eight re­ Vice-Governor was KBL. Of the eight placed KBL mayors and other replaced elective provincial board members, five KBL elective officials with their followers. were UNIDO and three were KBL. Of Jose B. Coz who had been Calatagan the thirty-four mayors, six were UNIDO mayor and president of the Municipal and twenty-eight were KBL. In addi­ Mayors League of Batangas became its tion, of the four Batasang Pambansa As­ president. Behind the formation of BISIG semblymen from Batangas, UNIDO had were several prominent Batangas politi­ three, while KBL had one.I3) The revo­ cians who served as its advisors. They lution and subsequent events changed included (former KBL the political picture completely. assemblyman), Jose Malvar Villegas KBL which was a dominant party (Secretary-General of Lapiang Mangga­ before the revolution collapsed at once gawa), Querubin F. Makalintal (execu­ when its elective local officials from Vice­ tive assistant, Bureau of Internal Reve­ Governor to municipal councilors were nue; LP-Salonga Wing), Ben Medrano replaced and it became clear that the (former KBL provincial board member), national leadership of KBL was disinte­ Antonio Leviste (former KBL governor grating and could not do anything for of Batangas), Roberto Diokno (former them. In contrast, UNIDO became a KBL assemblyman). The main purposes single dominant party under the leader­ of BISIG were to group together under ship of the Laurels. In fact, it monopo­ a new party free from discredited KBL lized almost all the elective positions and to oppose the Laurels' UNIDO. from the provincial governor to city and But it did not work as an effective and municipal councilors by replacing all the enduring organization because it lacked elective officials of KBL. But, this situ­ strong leadership, and different politi­ ation did not last more than a year and cians had different views. In the plebi­ a few months. The political develop­ scite for constitutional ratification in ment that took place thereafter was a February 1987, BISIG could not take a process of realignment of local political unified stand. In the congressional elec­ forces at the provincial and town levels tions in May 1987, it could not take any and of penetration into and consolida­ solid position or field common candidates tion in Batangas of other national politi­ either; each member supported his own cal parties. candidate. It seems that BISIG had One of the earliest developments was retreated into mere nominal existence the formation of BISIG ng Batangas in since then and died a natural death.14) 13) The three UNIDO assemblymen were Jose B. Laurel, Jr., Hernando Perez, and 14) The account of BISIG ng Batangas here Rafael Recto: the KBL assemblyman was is based on interviews with Jose Z. Coz, Manuel Collantes. Recto, however, came Jr. (Calatagan Mayor and son of former to side with President Marcos sometime Mayor Jose B. Coz), Municipal Hall, Ca­ in 1985. latagan, Batangas, July 13, 1988; Conrado,/

366 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

Other new developments were the ex­ for President Movement (CAPM) m pansion of PDP-Laban and then the es­ Batangas. In organizmg Lakas ng tablishment of Lakas ng Bansa. PDP­ Bansa in the province, he reactivated Laban initially started to organize in his PDP-Laban and CAPM networks as Batangas in 1983 toward the Batasang its nuclei and expanded them.1n Pambansa elections of May 1984.15) But it At this point, it will be relevant to was a weak force and, according to one examine the state of provincial organiza­ estimate, had only one hundred to one tions of BAYAN and BANDILA, which hundred fifty members at the time of the established their branches in Batangas special presidential election. After the some time before the special presidential revolution, many local politicians includ­ election. Shortly after the founding ing former KBLs took membership sem­ congress of BAYAN-Southern Luzon in inars and even sponsored seminars for Silang, Cavite in July 1985, two officers their followers; its membership size ex­ for Southern Luzon and two leaders in panded rapidly. As of June 1988, it Batangas who later became Chairman and claimed to have nearly one thousand, Secretary General of BAYAN-Batangas with the majority identified with the formed a core group to establish BAYAN Cojuangco faction.l6) Lakas ng Bansa, in Batangas. The core group tried to on the other hand, started to organize in incorporate into BAYAN various sectoral Batangas shortly after it was formally and multi-sectoral groups such as trade launched in November 1986. Its initial unions, organizations of peasants and provincial organizer was Dante Q. Bar­ the urban poor, organizations of the bosa, a close associate of Ramon Mitra, youth and students, organizations of who had become Assistant Minister of teachers and professionals, and religious Agriculture on February 27, 1986 when groups. The founding congress of Mitra had become Minister of Agricul­ BAYAN-Batangas was held in Taal on ture. Barbosa was a leader of PDP­ September 28, attended by about three Laban and Chairman of the Cory Aquino hundred people including Wigberto Tanada and Fr. Jose Dizon, Chairman ~C. Berberabe (former Mayor), residence, Batangas City, Batangas, and Vice-Chairman of BAYAN-Southern July 13, 1988; Vicente B. Kalalo (a mem­ Luzon, as guest speakers. Its initial af­ ber of Provincial Board and former San filiates included Samahang Magbubukid Jose Mayor), Office of Governor, Batangas, August 2, 1988; and Bienvenido O. Castillo ng Batangas, Samahang Mangangawil 78, (Bauan Mayor), Municipal Hall, Bauan, Malayang Katipunang Manggagawa sa Batangas, August 30, 1988. 15) Interview with Dante Q. Barbosa, Depart­ Batangas, and Samahan Maralita Baybay ment of Agriculture, Quezon City, August Dagat (peasant and labor sector) ; 5, 1988. Barrio Sta. Clara Community (Batangas 16) Interview with Rolando A. Suarez (Chair­ man, Luzon Area Coordinating Council, City based organization of the urban PDP-Laban-Pimentel faction), Amparo Bldg., Manila, June 27, 1988. 17) Interview with Barbosa. See footnote 15).

367 poor); the League of Filipino Students BANDILA, the membership of which (LFS) and para sa Demokra­ was heavily concentrated in Metro Ma­ sya at Nasyonalismo (KADENA) (stu­ nila at the time of its founding congress dents and youth sector); the Concerned in August 1985, also endeavored to ex­ Teachers of Our Lady Caysasay IAcad­ pand into the provinces. Its expansion emy; and member organizations of work in Batangas as well as in other the Citizen Solidarity Movement of parts of Luzon was done mainly in Batangas, a multi-sectoral group. Indi­ October and November of that year,19) vidual members of the Southern Tagalog Certain BANDILA leaders, using their Attorneys for National Democracy personal contacts, approached organiza­ (STAND) led by Taiiada and of the tions of workers and peasants, youth and Medical Action Group also joined professional groups, and church people. BAYAN-Batangas. It is not easy to es­ For example, Roy Oliveros, an officer timate its exact organizational strength. of FFW who later became BANDILA Its mass mobilization capability, how­ Deputy Secretary General approached ever, may tell something about it. Sto. Tomas Academy Union in Sto. BAYAN-Batangas claims to have mobi­ Tomas and Fr. Richard Panganiban of lized two thousand one hundred members St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in for mass action in Batangas City on the Lipa City. Riza Yapchiongco contacted occasion of declaration of human rights Kapisanan ng Magsasakang Pilipino day on December 9 and 10, 1985. When (KASAMA), a peasant organization it boycotted the special presidential elec­ based in Bauan and Balayan.20) Prior to tion, many members left the organiza­ this, Pascual Tonog, a farmer residing tion. On the same human rights day in in the municipality of Bauan and part­ 1986, the number of people mobilized time employee of a trading company in declined to seven hundred. For the fu­ Manila, was introduced to BANDILA neral procession in Manila for Leandro Secretary General Mar Canonigo by Alejandro, its assassinated Secretary­ Raul Daza, Tonog's provincemate in General, on September 29, 1987, it Samar, in Salonga's residence in Pasig mobilized from one hundred fifty to two in September. Canonigo gave Tonog hundred Batangas members. BAYAN­ an authority to organize BANDILA in Batangas ascribes the decline of its mass Bauan. Tonog approached workers of a shipyard of Philippine National Oil mobilization ability to military harass­ Company, farmers and students.2D In­ ment and financial constraints. But it terestingly, the sectoral composition of claims to have organized in most of the thirty-two municipalities and two cities in 19) Interview with Solphie Confiado, ANSCOR Batangas by 1988,18) Bldg., Makati, January 6, 1988. 20) Interview with Roy Oliveros, BATU Office, Malate, Manila, June 27, 1988. 18) Interview with an organizer of BAYAN­ 21) Interview with Pascual Tonog, Shakey's, Batangas, Makati, July 6, 1988. Loyola, Quezon City, August 17, 1988.

368 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines the groups approached by BANDILA Hall which was attended by about two apparently overlaps that of BAYAN. It hundred thirty members and some was not easy at that time to recruit national officers including Canonigo. members because of fear among the Collette Buenaventura, a leader of Gen­ people. In Lipa City, for example, Fr. eral Milling Corporation's labor union Panganiban arranged a two-day seminar whichwas affiliated to FFW became Chair­ in St. Joseph Seminary in November and man of the council; Tonog, Cucio and invited people from different sectors of Latayan became its President, Secretary the city to help establish BANDILA. General and Treasurer respectively. Since About fifty people attended the seminar then, however, it has gradually become and some ranking officers of BANDILA inactive. Especially since after the con­ including Canonigo and Deputy Secre­ gressional and senatorial elections in tary General Toy Nepomuceno came and May 1987, there have been feworganiza­ gave lectures to the participants.22) Of tional activities, except that Tonog and the fifty participants, only six, who were Cucio who ran for their municipal and members of a Catholic charismatic group, city councils in the local elections in became BANDILA members. The six January 1988 tried to utilize BANDILA included Willie Cucio, a youth leader, organizations in their constituencies only and Eldee Latayan, a book keeper of a to lose in the elections.25) local bank. In the special presidential Other national parties, though not so election, they campaigned for Aquino visible as PDP-Laban and Lakas ng and Laurel in a clandestine manner.23) Bansa, also tried to penetrate into and/ In Bauan, BANDILA claims to have or consolidate in Batangas. PNP which had about one hundred members cam­ was formed by a group of former KBLs paigning for Aquino and Laurel. There led by Ople in March 1986 affiliated were no BANDILA organizations in Manuel Collantes and Antonio Leviste other towns in Batangas.24) After the [Ople 1987: PNP Chronology & PNP revolution, BANDILA's membership in Officers]. When the NP-Cayetano Wing Batangas expanded rapidly. It organ­ emerged, Collantes left PNP and joined ized in two other municipalities, namely, NP [Nolasco 1986: 1 & 6]. PnB also Balayan and Sto. Tomas. In September established its Batangas Chapter which 1986, the Batangas Provincial Council was based in the municipality of Taal. of BANDILA was formed in an assem­ A number of middle class forces of bly held in the penthouse of Lipa City 25) Interviews with Tonog (fn. 21) and 22) Interview with Richard Panganiban, St. Latayan (rn. 23). Regarding the member­ Francis de Sales Major Seminary, Lipa ship size of BANDILA in Batangas, they City, Batangas, January 7, 1988. claimed six thousand at the height of its 23) Interview with Eldee Latayan, Monte de organizational strength. However, even Piedad & Savings Bank, Lipa City, Batan­ including FFW, KASAPI and KASAMA gas, February 24, 1987. which was under LMP, the figure seems to 24) Interview with Tonog. See footnote 21). include a certain degree of exaggeration.

369 List 3 Congressional Candidates in Batangas and Their Party Affiliations May 11, 1987 Elections

First District: 1. Apacib1e, Conrado Villadolid UNIDO 2. Cabrera, Roberto Jr. Vito Filipino Democratic Party-Lakas ng Bayan 3. De Castro, Hermogenes Jr. Cabral Bisig ng Batangas 4. Garcia, Bendos Martinez KBL 5. Goco, Raul Ilustre UNIDO 6. 11ao, Isidro Caisip LP 7. Mendoza, Loreto 11ao Independent 8. Mitra, Nauel Antonio III Reyes Lakas ng Bansa 9. Razon, Ricardo Carolino Independent 10. Serrano, Federico Maneja UNIDO 11. Suarez, Rolando Arevalo PDP Laban 12. Vivo, Martiniano Pasno LP Second District: 1. Calangi, Roberto Espinoza Laban ng Bayan (NP UNIDO) 2. Cordova, Jose Cusi Independent 3. Evangelio, Victorino Independent (UNIDO) 4. Hughes, Romeo Sanohan PDP Laban 5. Mandanas, Hermilando Ingco Independent 6. Perez, Hernando Benito UNIDO 7. Sulit, Felix Macatangay 8. Rosales, Nicasio Y Ilagan NP-GAD Third District: 1. Carandang, Dante Angeles Independent 2. Collantes, Manuel Garcia NP-GAD 3. Hernandez, Cecilio Fajardo NP UNIDO Lakas ng Bansa-PDP Coalition 4. Leviste, J. Antonio Casals PNP NP KBL GAD 5. Trinidad, Milagros Laurel UNIDO-NP Fourth District: I. Adapon, Juan Cesar Dimaano PDP Laban, Independent 2. Calingasan, Jose Escano UNIDO 3. Dimayuga, Jose Recio NUCD 4-. Gualberto, Crisanto II Samoy Lakas ng Bansa 5. Katigbak, Benedicto Kalaw Liberal, GAD 6. Lacdao, Antonio Dimayuga Independent 7. Mercado, Efren Honrade Independent 8. Publico, Rodolfo Inciong Independent LP Salonga 9. Roxas, Bodolfo Guillermo Macarandang Independent 10. Sabili, Meynardo Asa Independent Lakas ng Bansa NUCD Source: Philippines, Commission on Elections [Undated-b]

BAYAN members joined PnB.26) III Batangas, if not in all the four dis­ In the congressional elections in May tricts therein; in other words, many of 1987, most of the national political par­ the congressional aspirants could find ties could field their respective candidates parties to run under (see List 3). PnB and BAYAN did not field their own can­ 26) Interview with an organizer of BAYAN­ Batangas. See footnote 18). didates and, instead, supported one PDP-

370 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

Laban candidate and three indepen­ a provincial board member under the dents, namely, Rolando Suarez (PDP­ Laurels' NP. The reasons why Perez Laban), (inde­ split from the Laurels, in his own expla­ pendent), Dante Carandang (indepen­ nation, were that Vic<:>-President Laurel dent) and Erren Mercado (indepen­ used his influence on President Aquino dent) .27) in the selection process of the ruling co- The result of the congressional elec­ alition's senatorial candidates in order to tions in Batangas was an overwhelming include his brother, Sotero H. Laurel, victory of UNIDO which elected con­ and Perez was not included because gressmen III all the four districts. of this and that the Laurels decided to The four congressmen were Conrado V. field another member of the family as a Apacible, Hernando B. Perez, Milagros gubernatorial candidate of UNIDO in Laurel Trinidad (a daughter of former the next local elections.28) At the time Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr.) , and Jose E. of the congressional elections in May, Calingasan. Therefore, in spite of the however, Perez remained under the penetration and/or the consolidation of Laurels at least on the surface. His other national political parties, the polit­ open split with the Laurels came at the ical picture in Batangas from after the time when the ruling coalition was revolution when the KBL elective offi­ selecting its candidate for Speaker of cials were replaced by UNIDO members the House of Representatives in June. until the congressional elections can be While the Laurels supported Francisco described as domination of UNIDO. Sumulong as the UNIDO's candidate, The domination of UNIDO was almost Perez supported Mitra, a presidential synonymous with the domination of the aspirant and rival of Vice-President Laurels, who now had Vice-President, a Laurel [Borjal 1987: 4-5J. Mitra senator (Sotero H. Laurel) and a con­ eventually became Speaker. gresswoman (Milagros Laurel Trinidad), Meanwhile, there was a move among and were grooming Benjamin C. Laurel certain Batangas politicians to form a as a gubernatorial candidate ofUNIDO. coalition in order to field common can­ Events that were to change the picture didates in the forthcoming local elec­ drastically took place shortly after the tions to wrest the provincial leadership elections, that is, the Laurel-Perez split from the Laurels. The principal initia­ and the formation of an anti-Laurel tors of the move were Jose Malvar coalition. Villegas, Querubin Makalintal and Perez, being a godchild of Jose B. 28) Perez raised these points persistently in Laurel, Jr., had been under the Laurels his speeches throughout the campaign pe­ riod of 1988 local elections. He even went throughout his political career especially on to say that the Laurels intended to since 1980 when he had been elected as block inclusion of his name in the senato­ rial ticket. But this contradicted with the 27) See footnote 26). claim of the Laurels.

371 Crisanto Gualberto, a defeated congres­ lowers and sympathizers. After a senes sional candidate of Lakas ng Bansa. When of talks among the politicians involved, Perez split with the Laurels, they tried the anti-Laurel coalition got into shape to join hands with Perez and his fol- by mid July and Perez became the chair-

List 4 Mayors of Batangas Before the Revolution and Their Party Affiliations

MunicipalityICity Mayor Party Affiliations Dec. 1985 Jan. 1988 (First District) 1. Balayan L. Ramos KBL (DNR) 2. Calaca A. Casanova UNIDO UNIDO 3. Calatagan J. Coz KBL LP/LB 4. Lemery H. de Castro KBL LB 5. Lian C. Lamano UNIDO UNIDO 6. Nasugbu P. Reiiosa KBL LP 7. Taal P. Gahol KBL (DNR) 8. Tuy L. Calingasan KBL UNIDO (Second District) 9. Batangas City C. Berberabe KBL LP 10. Bauan B. Castillo KBL UNIDO 11. Lobo R. Sulit KBL LP 12. Mabini R. Amurao KBL LB 13. San Luis O. Diokno KBL (DNR) 14. San Pascual E. Lualhati KBL Ind. 15. Tingloy A. Datingaling UNIDO Ind. (Third District) 16. Agoncillo A. Alcantara KBL (DNR) 17. Alitagtag M. Hernandez KBL (DNR) 18. Balete H. Ramirez KBL LB 19. Cuenca V. Reno UNIDO (DNR) 20. Laurel P. Amo KBL LB 21. Malvar M. Reyes UNIDO LB 22. Mataas na kahoy I. Laluna KBL (DNR) 23. San Nicolas T. Mayuga KBL LB 24. Sta. Teresita N. Segunial KBL (DNR) 25. Sto. Tomas L. Laurel, Jr. KBL PDP-Laban 26. Talisay A. Laurel KBL (DNR) 27. Tanauan S. Olfato UNIDO UNIDO (Fourth District) 28. Ibaan R. Reyes KBL (DNR) 29. Lipa City C. Solis KBL (DNR) 30. Padre Garcia E. Gutierrez KBL LB 31. Rosario F. Magracia KBL LB 32. San Jose V. Kalalo KBL LB 33. San Juan V. Lecaroz KBL (DNR) 34. Taysan 1. Sulit, Jr. KBL LB LB: Lakas ng Bansa; (DNR): Did Not Run Source: Philippines, Provincial Development Staff, Batangas [1980J; Philippines, Commission on Elections [1987J

372 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

Table 3 Party Affiliations of the Replaced For mer KBL Mayors at the Time of the 1988 Local Elections

Number of the Replaced Former KBL Mayors 28 Number of Those who Ran in the Elections 17 Under Lakas ng Bansa 10 Under UNIDO 2 Under LP-Salonga Wing 3 Under PDP-Laban 1 As Independent I Number of Those Who Did Not Run 11 man of the coalition now called Lakas split and the formation of the anti­ ng Batangan. Congressman Apaeible Laurel coalition changed the political who was also a godchild of Laurel, Jr. picture completely. Now, the major became its vice-chairman. Party affilia­ political division in Batangas was a tions 0 f those who coalesced under Lakas division between the pro-Laurel and the ng Batangan included seven political anti-Laurel. The new division made parties, namely, UNIDO (Perez Wing), the previous division almost irrelevant. Lakas ng Bansa, the L P-Salonga Wing, The majority of politicians in Batangas the LP-Kalaw Wing, PNP, Lapiang were to be realigned into the two 2 Manggagawa and BISIG ng Batangas. ::J) camps toward the local elections. It is The major political division in Batan­ interesting to note that, out of the gas from after the revolution until the twenty-eight replaced KBL mayors who congressional elections had been basically once grouped together under BISIG, an extension of the division that existed seventeen ran in the local elections and at the time of the special presidential did so as candidates of parties under election, though significant changes had the ruling coalition except for one who steadily been taking place as already de­ ran as an independent (see List 4 and scribed. In other words, the division Table 3). The largest number ran had been between those who supported under Lakas ng Bansa. While most of Marcos-Tolentino and those who sup­ the KBL national leadership remained ported Aquino-Laurel. The Laurel-Perez in the opposition, if not in KBL, after the revolution (see List 5); most of its 29) Interview with Jose Malvar Villegas, Ma­ local affiliates switched to the parties nila Peninsula Hotel, July 18, 1988. Also see Anonymous [1987f: 35; 1987g: 28; under the ruling coalition by the time 1987h: 18; 1987k: 33J. It has to be noted of the local elections, taking advantage that Villegas is an elusive figure. In the special Presidential election, he supported of the rivalry among the parties. As for Marcos and Tolentino. When Lakas ng the thirty-four OIC mayors who were all Bansa was formed, he became its deputy UNIDO at the time of their appoint­ secretary general. Shortly before the congressional and senatorial elections, he ments, eighteen ran in the local elec­ left Lakas ng Bansa. tions under UNIDO, nine under Lakas

373 List 5 Members of KBL Central Committee at the Time of the Special Presidential Election and Their Party Affiliations After the 1988 Local Elections

Party President (KBL)* Vice-President for Luzon Eduardo Cojuangco (KBL)* Vice-President for Visaya Benjamin Romualdez (KBL)* Vice-President for Mindanao Ali Dimaporo KBL Secretary-General Jose Rono NP Deputy Secretary-General Juan Tuvera Treasurer Roberto Benedicto (KBL)* Regional Chairman NCR (KBL)* Region I Conrado Estrella KBL Region II Juan Ponce Enrile NP Region III Eduardo Cojuangco (KBL)* Region IV Isidro Rodriguez NP Rigion V Felix Fuentebella KBL Region VI Roberto Benedicto (KBL)* Region VII Lorenzo Teves. NP Region VIII Benjamin Romualdez (KBL)* Region IX Vicente Cerilles NP Region X Constantino Navarro, Sr. KBL Region XI Alejandro Almendras NP Region XII Ali Dimaporo KBL * Out of Country Note: Identification of party affiliations was done by Atty P. Patacsual, a staffer of Minority Floor Leader Rodolfo Albano's office and formerly of KBL national head quarter, on August 16, 1988. ng Bansa, one as independent; six did associate of Perez. As the local elections not seek elections (see List 6 and Table approached, the Perez faction came to 4). be identified closely with Lakas ng Bansa The anti-Laurel coalition or Lakas ng through his alliance with Speaker Mitra. Batangan was never a monolithic or co­ On November 14, a provincial conven­ hesive organization. It had two major tion of Lakas ng Bansa was held in factions. The more powerful of the two Western Philippine Colleges in Batangas was a faction led by Perez; the other City; Perez, Apacible and local candi­ faction was led by Villegas. It was very dates of the faction including Mayo for­ difficult for them to agree on a common mally affiliated to Lakas ng Bansa in an gubernatorial candidate against the can­ oathtaking ceremony administered by didate of the Laurels' UNIDO. The its Secretary-General, Tanjuatco.30) The two factions eventually came to take Villegas faction, on the other hand, their own courses respectively. The came to join hands with the LP-Salonga

Perez faction groomed Vicente A. Mayo 30) Interview with Vicente Mayo, Office of who was OIC Vice-Governor and close Governor, Batangas, August 2, 1988.

374 M. KIMURA: Pol itical Parties in the Philippines

List 6 OIC Mayors of Batangas and Their Party Affiliations

Partl Affiliations Municipality/City OIC Mayor Feb. 198 Jan. 1988

(First District) 1. Balayan B. Martinez UNIDO UNIDO 2. Calacca A. Casanova UNIDO UNIDO 3. Calatagan P. Palacio. Jr. UNIDO LB 4. Lemery R. Ornales UNIDO UNIDO 5. Lian C. Lamano UNIDO UNIDO 6. Nasugbu R. Apacible UNIDO LB 7. Taal C. Cafiiza UNIDO LB 8. Tuy P. Macalalad UNIDO (DNR) (Second District) 9. Batangas City J. Atienza UNIDO UNIDO 10. Bauan P. Boongaling UNIDO LB 11. Lobo O. Lachica UNIDO LB 12. Mabini B. Calangi UNIDO (DNR) 13. San Luis L. Abrenica UNIDO LB 14. San Pascual M. Magsaysay UNIDO LB 15. Tingloy A. Datingaling UNIDO Ind. (Third District) 16. Agoncillo N. de Sagun UNIDO UNIDO 17. Alitagtag J. Dimaandal UNIDO (DNR) 18. Balete G. Mendoza UNIDO UNIDO 19. Cuenca V. Reno UNIDO (DNR) 20. Laurel N. Panganiban UNIDO UNIDO 21. Malvar M. Reyes UNIDO LB 22. Mataas na Kahoy C. Landicho UNIDO UNIDO 23. San Nicolas G. Tenorio UNIDO UNDIO 24. Sta. Teresita B. Andal UNIDO UNIDO 25. Sto. Tomas P. Malvar UNIDO UNIDO 26. Talisay B. Platon UNIDO UNIDO 27. Tanauan S. Olfato UNIDO UNIDO (Fourth District) 28. Ibaan N. Toreja UNIDO UNIDO 29. Lipa City R. Umali UNIDO UNIDO 30. Padre Garcia J. Pesigan UNIDO (DNR) 31. Rosario J. Agoncillo UNIDO UNIDO 32. San Jose E. Umali UNIDO (DNR) 33. San Juan A. de Villa UNIDO LB 34. Taysan D. Driz UNIDO UNIDO Source: Philippines, Provincial Government of Batangas [1986J, Philippines, Commission on Elections [1987J

Wing which had just embarked on a date, formally affiliated with the LP­ nation-wide organizational blitz. On the Salonga Wing at a proclamation-oathtak­ same November 14, the faction including ing ceremony administered by Senate candidates for the local elections led by President Jovito Salonga at the resi­ Antonio Leviste, a gubernatorial candi- dence in Cubao, Quezon City of Judy

375 Table 4 Party Affiliations of, the OIC Mayors at the Time of the 1988 Local Elections

Number of the OIC Mayors 34 Number of Those Who Ran in the Elections 28 Under Lakas ng Bansa 9 Under UNIDO 18 As Independent 1 Number of Those Who Did Not Run 6

Araneta Roxas, chairman of the LP Table 5 Party Affiliations of the Mayors steering committee.:m At one time, there­ Elected in the 1988 Local Elec­ tions fore, it seemed that the gubernatorial contest was going to be a three-cornered UNIDO 18 Lakas ng Bansa 14* fight among Benjamin Laurel (UNIDO), PDP-Laban 1 Vicente Mayo (Lakas ng Bansa) and Independent (UNIDO Unofficial) 1 Antonio Leviste (LP-Salonga Wing). To~l 34 But Leviste stepped down in the last * including J. Coz, Jr. who run under LPf stage and LP decided to support Mayo's Lakas ng Bansa. He succeeded his fa­ gubernatorial candidacy. ther's candidacy during the campaign period. One salient feature of the 1988 local elections in Batangas was that most of the candidates for the local positions board members, while UNIDO elected from Governor to city and municipal only three board members. In the councilors ran as those of the parties un­ mayoral contests, however, UNIDO der the ruling coalition that were compet­ barely obtained a slight edge over Lakas ing with one another; some ran as inde­ ng Bansa in terms of the number of pendents; and few, under the opposition. mayors elected (see List 7 and Table 5). Practically speaking, the contests were Interestingly, the thirty-four newly between UNIDO and Lakas ng Bansa, elected mayors included ten of the former with the LP-Salonga Wing and PDP­ KBL mayors who were replaced after Laban being able to field candidates the revolution (compare List 4 and List only in limited numbers of the cities and 7); the provincial board included one the municipalities. The result of the of them.32) elections was as follows. The guberna­ torial contest was a landslide for Mayo. Lakas ng Bansa also got Vice-Governor 32) The provincial board member was Vicente and seven out of the ten provincial Kalalo, former KBL Mayor of San Jose. In addition, Jose Z. Coz, Jr., a son of 31) Interview with Villegas. See footnote 29). former KBL Mayor of Calatagan was also Also see Anonymous [1988b: 13J. elected as a mayor.

376 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

List 7 Mayors of Batangas Elected in January 1988 and Their Party Affiliations

Municipality/City Mayor Party Affiliations January 1988

(First District) 1. Balayan B. Martinez UNIDO 2. Calaca A. Casanova UNIDO 3. Calatagan J. Coz, Jr. LP/LB 4. Lemery H. De Castro* LB 5. Lian C. Lamano UNIDO 6. Nasugbu R. Apacible LB 7. Taal L. Cabrera UNIDO 8. Tuy L. Calingasan* UNIDO (Second District) 9. Batangas E. Dimacuha LB 10. Bauan B. Castillo* UNIDO 11. Lobo L. Ramos UNIDO 12. Mabini R. Amurao* LB 13. San Luis O. Matro UNIDO 14. San Pascual M. Magsaysay LB 15. Tingloy J. Atienza UNIDO (Third District) 16. Agoncillo N. Sagun UNIDO 17. Alitagtag R. Macalintal UNIDO 18. Balete H. Ramirez* LB 19. Cuenca J. La Rosa UNIDO 20. Laurel P. Amo* LB 21. Malvar P. Villegas LB 22. Mataas na Kahoy C. Landicho UNIDO 23. San Nicolas T. Mayuga* LB 24. Sta. Teresita B. Andal UNIDO 25. Sto. Tomas L. Laurel, Jr.* PDP-Laban 26. Talisay B. Platon UNIDO 27. Tanauan S. Olfato UNIDO (Fourth District) 28. Ibaan N. Toreja UNIDO 2Q. Lipa City R. Umali UNIDO 30. Padre Garcia E. Gutierrez* LB 31. Rosario A. Luna Ind. (UNIDO Unofficial) 32. San Jose A. Alday LB 33. San Juan A. de Villa LB 34. Taysan 1. Sulit, Jr.* LB

* Former KBL Mayors Source: Philippines, Provincial Government of Batangas [1988J; Philippines, Commission on Elections [1987J

____. 1986b. Unido, Laban Join Forces. Bibliography Bulletin Today. January 3, 1986. ____. 1986c. Laban Opens Door to KBL Anonymous. 1986a. (lovernor Defects, Blasts Politicians. Malaya. November 20, 1986. KBL. Malaya. January 1, 1986. ______1986d. Bayan Adopts "Conscience"

377 Vote on Proposed Charter. Malaya. Decem­ Estella, Chit. 1988. Salonga Hits 2 Cory Kin ber 8, 1986. on Poll Bets. Malaya. January 12, 1988. ___. 1986e. Almendras Now Laban Mem­ Guevarra, Benjie. 1987. NP Presses Dominant ber. Malaya. December 17, 1986. Party Bid. Malaya. November 15, 1987. ___. 1987a. "No" Coalition to Be Formed Laban ng Bayan. 1985. In the Matter of the Today. . January 14,1987. Petition for Accreditation as the Dominant ___. 1987b. 7 Opposition Parties Unite. Opposition Party for All Elections in the Philip­ . January 15, 1987. pines (a petition filed by Laban ng Bayan ___. 1987c. Right-wing Groups Unite at Commission on Elections which was against Cory. Malaya. January 15, 1987. dated December 6, 1985 and received on ___. 1987d. PNP Snubs Opposition Alli­ December 7, 1985). ance. Malaya. January 16, 1987. Lakas ng Bansa. 1986. Lakas ng Bansa Constitu­ ___. 1987e. Aquino to Lead Charter Oath tion. of Allegiance. Manila Bulletin. February 11, _____. 1987. Petition for Registration of Lakas 1987. ng Bansa Party (a petition filed by Lakas ___. 1987£. Coalition of Parties in Batan­ ng Bansa at Commission on Elections, gas Formed. Manila Bulletin. June 29, 1987. dated February 20, 1987). ___. 1987g. Blow to Dynasty, Perez Cuts Lande, Carl H. 1964. Leaders, Factions and off Ties with Laurels. Manila Bulletin. Jan­ Parties: The Structure of Philippine Politics. uary 14-, 1987. Studies, Monograph Series ___. 1987h. To Field Bet vs Laurels. No.6. New Haven: Yale University Press. Manila Bulletin. July 25, 1987. Logarta, Louie. 1987. Pro-Cory Parties Gird ___. 1987i. I'm Not Weak-Cory. Philippine for Polls. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Novem­ Daily Inquirer. October 4, 1987. ber 18, 1987. ___. 1987j. "Constitutional Coup" Aim of Naciona1ista Party. 1986. The Nacionalista. JPE-Doy Team? Philippine Daily Inquirer. Year 1, No.1, November 1986. October 6, 1987. Nolasco, Jose Ma. 1986. Ex-MPs Dump Ople ___.l987k. Batangas Political Coalition for Enrile. Philippine Daily Enquirer. June Seeks End to Laurel Dynasty. Manila 2, 1986. Bulletin. October 14, 1987. Ople, BIas F. 1987. Untitled (a communica­ ____. 19871. NP Revitalized, Urges Fair tion from PNP President BIas Ople to Polls. Manila Bulletin. November 15, 1987. Chairman of Commission on Elections, ____. 1988a. 1,802 LP Recruits Sworn in. Ramon Felipe, dated February 18, 1987 Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 13, 198B. and received on the same day). ___. 1988b. Leviste Leads LP Ticket in Philippines, Batasang Pambansa. 1985. Regional Batangas. Manila Bulletin. November 15, Listing of MPs. Quezon City: Batasang 1988. Pambansa. (mimeographed) Bagong Alyansang (BAYAN). 1986. Philippines, Commission on Elections. 1987. Documents of the Second National Congress of Certified Lists of Candidates for the January the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. Manila: 18, 1988 Local Elections (documents pro­ Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. duced by election registrars of thirty-two Bansang Nagkaisa Sa Diwa At Layunin (BAN municipalities and two cities of Batangas). DILA). 1986. Bansang Nagkaisa Sa Diwa ~ . Undated-a. Elected Provincial Officials At Layunin (BANDILA), 2nd National Con­ January 30, 1980 Election. Manila: Commis­ gress, October 11-12, 1986. Loyola Center, sion on Elections. (mimeographed) Ateneo de Manila, Quezon City. Manila: ___. Undated-b. Certificates of Candidacy BANDILA. for Congressmen filed with the COMELEC Borja1, Art A. 1987. Jaywalker, Nani Perez's May 11, 1987 Elections. Manila: Commission "Impossible Dream." . on Elections. (mimeographed) July 21, 1987. ___. Undated-c. Proclaimed Winning Can­ Cunanan, Belinda Olivares. 1985. Believe It didates for Members of the House of Representa­ or Not: Cory, Doy Unite. Mr & Ms., tives and Their Party Affiliations, May 11, Special Edition. December 13-19, 1985. 1987 Elections. Manila: Commission on

378 M. KIMURA: Political Parties in the Philippines

Elections. (mimeographed) Manila: Commission on Elections. (mimeo­ Philippines, Department of Local Government, graphed) Electronic Data Processing Service. 1987. Ronquillo, Marlen. 1987a. Enrile, Doy Forces Master List of Local Officials, Date 12/22/87. Unite. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 4, Manila: Department of Local Government. 1987. (computer print) ____. 1987b. 19 "Prize Catch" for the Philippines, Provincial Development Staff, Ba­ Liberals. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Novem­ tangas. 1980. Batangas Provincial Profile ber 8, 1987. (pocket size). Batangas City: Provincial _~~. 1987c. PDP-Laban Bloc Won't Sup­ Government of Batangas. port Some Cory Bets. Philippine Daily Philippines, Provincial Government of Batan­ Inquirer. December 9, 1987. gas. 1986. 1986 Highlights (a special issue Rueda, Nimfa. 1987. Cory, Doy Patch up of Sinag sa Kumintang). Batangas City: Difference. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Decem­ Provincial government of Batangas. ber 3, 1987. ____. 1988. Mid-Year Review '88 (a special Sison, Jose Ma. Undated. Political Report. issue of Diwa ng Batangueno). Batangas Manila: Preparatory Commission, Partido City: Provincial Government of Batangas. ng Bayan. (mimeographed) Philippines, Records and Statistics Division, Yniguez, Nicanor E. 1986. Untitled (a communi­ Commission on Elections. Undated. List cation from KBL Acting President of Candidates for Members of the House of Nicanor E. Yniguez to KBL members, Representatives with Their Total Votes Received dated July 9, 1986). and Party Affiliations, May 11, 1987 Elections.

379