A Mirage of Power: PDP Laban's Shifting Fortunes
The Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) made history in 2016 when its presidential candidate, Rodrigo Duterte, secured a landslide victory, propelling the party into the echelons of power for the first time since its inception in 1982. However, a deeper examination reveals an enigmatic narrative; the PDP Laban that currently touts itself as the ruling party may be an imposter, wielding a facade of authority.
Duterte artfully wielded PDP Laban's platform as a stepping stone to electoral triumph, yet appeared to discard his party affiliation when its support was most crucial. During times of adversity, he abandoned his party colleagues in favor of alliances with seemingly more influential partners, as evident in his backing of congressional leaders.
While the treatment meted out to his party associates may appear secondary, the context behind PDP Laban's origin casts a shadow on this indifference. The party emerged against a backdrop of a national tragedy — a landscape marred by state complicity in the disappearance and murder of numerous individuals, often dissenters. The current surge of suspected criminal killings eerily harks back to this grim history. PDP's founder, Nene Pimentel, envisioned the party as a vanguard of due process, rule of law, and a countermeasure against human rights violations.
In his memoir, "Martial Law in the Philippines: My Story," Pimentel shared, "At this time, the country was being rent asunder by rebel guns that challenged martial law… We should offer our people a third peaceful, nonviolent choice. That was the basic conceptual framework that led to the birth of the PDP…." Pimentel's vision resonated with a call to reject the allure of violence and underscored the importance of human rights.
The Erosion of Principles: PDP Laban's Current Dilemma
Fast-forward to the present, the Duterte administration grapples with allegations of human rights violations, casting PDP Laban's ideals into doubt. The party's founding principles, encompassing theism, authentic humanism, enlightened nationalism, democratic socialism, and consultative and participatory democracy, once radiated as a beacon of optimism for aspiring politicians driven by idealism. Figures like Oca Santos, Bobbit Sanchez, Lutz Barbo, Jojo Binay, and Ting Paterno, among others, rallied under PDP's banner, united in their advocacy for human rights.
However, the party was not immune to the tentacles of traditional politics. History reveals that familiarity often breeds favoritism, a phenomenon evident when Duterte assumed the role of OIC Vice Mayor of Davao City. This foothold served as a springboard for his political career, echoing Binay's trajectory. Despite Binay's demonstrated administrative competence, his journey was marred by financial extravagance and unsavory associations, ultimately dimming his once-promising prospects. As Duterte embarked on a meteoric rise, Binay faltered.
Duterte's campaign vows of resolving labor concerns and safeguarding national integrity resonated with PDP Laban's bedrock beliefs. The party championed the untapped potential of the nation's marginalized populace, underscoring the role of equitable opportunities in propelling sustainable progress—a vision encapsulated by "Lakas ng Bayan" (People Power).
Dashed Dreams: The Departure from PDP Laban's Values
Yet, Duterte's decisions cast shadows over these aspirations. His veto of the Security of Tenure Bill (dubbed the Endo Bill) contradicted his professed commitment, while his handling of West Philippine Sea disputes diminished the nation's sovereignty. This departure is a stark contradiction to PDP's past ideological vigor. Once celebrated as "Pilipinas Dapat sa Pilipino" (The Philippines for Filipinos), PDP Laban now grapples with the dissonance between its name and the actions of its most prominent member.
Three years into Duterte's presidency, the party's founders may witness a disheartening divergence from its core values. The ideals that once ignited hope now smolder in the wake of actions that counter the very principles that PDP Laban sought to uphold.
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This is a rewrite of an article first published on 3 August 2019 with the title of "PDP Laban: A fake ruling party in agony?".
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