Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas explained

Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas
President:Norberto Gonzales
Chairman:Norberto Gonzales
Country:the Philippines
Founder:Norberto Gonzales
Romeo Intengan
Foundation:May 1, 1973; 50 years ago
Headquarters:180 Katipunan St. corner Narra St., Marikina City, Metro Manila
Youth Wing:Kabataang Nagkakaisa sa Diwa at Layunin ng Sambayanan - KANDILA
Position:Centre-left
National:TEAM Unity (2007)
K4 (2004)
UNIDO (1980-1986)
International:Socialist International[1]
Seats1 Title:Seats in the Senate
Seats2 Title:Seats in the House of Representatives
Colorcode:
  1. CD5C5C
Native Name:Philippine Democratic Socialist Party

The Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), also known as Philippine Democratic Socialist Party, is a political party in the Philippines. It is one of the member parties that composed the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) that supported the candidacy of Corazon Aquino and Salvador Laurel in the 1986 Snap Elections against President Ferdinand Marcos.

In the year 2000, the PDSP mobilized with civil society organizations and groups in support of the impeachment, which led to eventual removal of former President Joseph Estrada from office.

History

Established on May 1, 1973, the PDSP played a leading role in the difficult task of establishing and expanding a progressive and democratic alternative to the Marcos dictatorship and to Marxism-Leninism. It made an important contribution to the mass campaigns which eventually led to the People Power revolution in 1986.

The PDSP then helped much to consolidate the newly restored democracy, especially through education and mobilization among the small farmers and fisherfolk, workers, urban poor, women, youth, Bangsamoro, and the indigenous peoples of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The PDSP, mainly through its members in people's organizations and non-government organizations, has helped much to draft laws and government regulations, especially in relation to issues and concerns of farmers, fishermen, workers, urban poor, women, and other sectors of Philippine society.

The Party was accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as a legitimate political party in 1990.

In 1992, the party became a consultative member of the Socialist International (SI). In 2019, the PDSP was granted full member status in the SI.[2]

Starting in 1996, the PDSP actively participated in the interfaith dialogues held between Christian and Muslim groups in the Philippines. These series of events led to the formation of the Bishops Ulama Conference[3] (BUC) with Romeo Intengan, S.J. and Dr. Mahid M. Mutilan.[4]

Beginnings

Martial Law Years

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration

PDSP Secretary-General, Danilo R. Yang, a human rights defender and Provincial Board Member in Laguna, was assassinated by alleged members of the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People's Army (CPP-NPA) in June 2009.[5] In 2013[6] and 2014[7] the gunmen responsible for the assassination of Mr. Yang were arrested by the Philippine National Police.

The Party has strongly opposed the electoral participation of party list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, and Gabriela. The PDSP has issued statements that the armed struggle distorts the democratic process by extorting permit-to-campaign fees from candidates and bans campaigns of certain candidates in their areas of control.

On September 30, 2021, PDSP Chairperson Norberto Gonzales expressed his willingness to run for President in the incoming 2022 presidential and local elections,[8] reaffirming their views of elections as vehicles for change.

Party platform

As a social democratic party, the PDSP participates in the political processes of the state,[9] insisting on elections as a legitimate and viable means of achieving socialism.[10] It opposes taking the extralegal route preferred and deemed necessary by Marxist–Leninist–Maoist national democrats.[11]

According to their party platform, they affirm the vision for a first world Philippines and had released a document titled Building a New Philippines. Good politics and governance can provide the foundation for an upright, disciplined and prosperous country. The document is summarised into three major points:

As such, the party holds thirteen principles:

Party officials:

Electoral performance

For president

ElectionCandidateNumber of votesShare of votesOutcome of election
1986Supported Corazon Aquino who won
1992N/AFidel V. Ramos
(Lakas)
1998N/AJoseph Ejercito Estrada
(LAMMP)
2004Supported Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who won
2010N/ABenigno Aquino III
(LP)
2016N/ARodrigo Duterte
(PDPLBN)
2022Norberto Gonzales90,6560.17Lost

For vice president

ElectionCandidateNumber of votesShare of votesOutcome of election
1986Supported Salvador Laurel who won
1992N/AJoseph Ejercito Estrada
(NPC)
1998N/AGloria Macapagal Arroyo
(Lakas)
2004N/ANoli de Castro
(Ind.)
2010N/AJejomar Binay
(PDPLBN)
2016N/ALeni Robredo
(LP)
2022N/ASara Duterte
(Lakas)

Senate

ElectionNumber of votesShare of votesSeats wonSeats afterOutcome of election
1995482,3280.26%Lost
1998Did not participate
2001503,4370.21%Lost
2004Did not participate
20072,488,9940.93%Lost
2010Did not participate
2013
2016
2019347,0130.10%Lost
2022Did not participate

House of Representatives

ElectionNumber of votes for PDSPShare of votesSeatsOutcome of election
1992Did not participateDid not participate
19957,5630.04%Lost
19988,8500.04%Lost
2001Joined the majority bloc
2004Joined the majority bloc
2007Joined the majority bloc
2010171,3450.50Joined the majority bloc
2013Did not participate
2016
201956,2230.14Lost
202278,029 0.16Lost

Notable members

Norberto B. Gonzales
former Secretary of National Defense
Romeo J. Intenganformer Provincial, Society of Jesus
Sultan Jamalul D. Kiram IIISultan of Sulu
Danilo R. Yangformer Secretary General, Board Member, Laguna
Attorney former President of Federation of Free Workers
Attorney Ramel C. MuriaFaculty member, Far Eastern University
Jovit G. Reyesformer Mayor, Pangil, Laguna
Wilmer L. Borbonformer Mayor, Danglas, Abra
Bernard F. AustriaCommunity Organizer

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Members.
  2. Web site: Members. Socialist International. en. 2019-10-11.
  3. Web site: The Bishop-Ulama Conference - Home. bishop-ulma.page.tl. 2019-10-18.
  4. Web site: THE GARDENER'S TALE OF A MISSING LINK IN THE MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS – The Gardener's Tales. CJRAvila. en-US. 2019-10-11.
  5. News: Board member, 6 others die in Laguna, Quezon shootouts. GMA News. 2009-06-25 . 2017-05-25.
  6. News: Gunman in 2009 killing of Laguna exec arrested. The Philippine Star. 2019-10-11.
  7. News: Suspect in the 2009 ambush of Laguna board member nabbed. Cinco. Maricar. Philippine Daily Inquirer. en. 2019-10-11.
  8. Web site: Cruz. Kaithreen. 2021-10-01. Ex-defense chief to run for president. 2021-10-04. The Manila Times. en.
  9. Web site: Capitalism, Socialism, Communism and the Difference between Social Democracy and Democratic Socialism. 2020-02-02. Cohen. Miles. Arcadia Political Review.
  10. Web site: Bakit Ikaw? The DZRH Presidential Job Interview - NORBERTO GONZALES. YouTube.
  11. Web site: N. B. G.. Methodology of Regime Change. 2021-05-21. Borja Gonzales. Norberto.