Liberal Party of the Philippines

LP PRESIDENTS

President Manuel A. Roxas
(Jan. 19, 1946 –April 15, 1948)

The founder and the 1st President of the Liberal Party established the foundation of the new republic and launched the economic restructuring of a country ravaged by war. He was a native of Capiz where he served as Governor. A lawyer, Speaker of the House of Representative, Senate President, last President of the Commonwealth and first President of the Republic.

Senate President Jose D. Avelino
(January 19, 1946 - May 8, 1949)

Reputed to be the chief lieutenant of the Nacionalista Party, he became the Senate President under the Roxas administration. He broke away from the leadership of Quirino to form his own wing, which he called the democrat. The result of the 1949 election was bitterly protested by Jose P. Laurel, to avert a civil war, Avelino conceded to Quirino paving the way to the proclamation of the winning candidate. After the election, Quirino and Avelino, as well as their leaders and followers, reunited.

President Elpidio R. Quirino
(April 17, 1948-December 30,1950)

He assumed the mantle of leadership of the Liberal Party upon the untimely demise of President Roxas. In 1949, he ran as Presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (Quirino wing) and won. In that election, the three Presidential candidates were Quirino, Senate President Jose Avelino (LP-Avelino wing) and Jose P. Laurel, the Nacionalista candidate. The Party has split into the Avelino and Quirino wings shortly before the elections. President Quiriono, who was the economist, instituted liberal economic reforms. LP fell apart under his watch.

Speaker Eugenio P. Perez
(1950-1957)

A loyal, dedicated and life- long member and co-founder of the Liberal Party. He was the first Speaker of the House of Representatives under the Bicameral Commonwealth government and the first Speaker of the House when the Philippines become independent of the United States. In the split between the Quirino and Avelino wings in 1949, he sided with President Quirino. As Speaker, he effectively supported both the Roxas and Quirino administration with vital legislation.

President Diosdado P. Macapagal
(1957-1961; December 30,1961- December 30, 1965)

The “poor boy from Lubao” brought back simplicity to the office of the President. He strengthened the party by recruiting leaders. He initiated agrarian reform program, exchange controls, and changed the date of independence from July 4 to June 12. A foreign policy expert, he sponsored the MAPHILINDO, a regional grouping of malay stock. He was a loyal member of the Liberal Party from the start of his political career until his death. It was rumored that he asked, in his deathbed, his daughter, then VP Macapagal-Arroyo, to go back to the Liberal Party.

Senate President Ferdinand E. Marcos
(1961-April 21, 1964)

He began his political career as a Liberal congressman. He was Senate President when he assumed the leadership of the Party as part of a compromise with President Macapagal. He would give way to President Macapagal in the 1961 Presidential election in return he would be elected Party President and be the standard bearer of the Party in the 1965 election. Upon sensing that President Macapagal would run for re-election, he left the Liberal Party and joined the Nacionalistas. He ran for President and won. He declared Martial Law in 1972 and formed the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL). He was ousted from power in 1986.

Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal
(May 1964 - april 19, 1982)

He was the Speaker of the House of Representative during the Macapagal administration, being the clever politician that he was, he retained the speakership even until the administration of Marcos. He was one of the delegates to the 1935 Constitutional Convention. He survived the Marcos years and returned to Congress to serve for one term after the EDSA revolution.

Sen. Gerardo M. Roxas
(May 10, 1969 - April 19, 1982)

The son of the founder and first President of the Liberal Party. He was the running mate of President Macapagal in the 1965 election. He lost by a slim margin and is believed to be cheated in the elections. The Liberal Party’s rebirth came under the leadership of Sen. Roxas when the Party fell into hard years during the Marcos administration. The Party was in opposition to Martial rule and the conjugal dictatorship when he assumed its leadership. He sought to increase the party’s legitimacy as the ideological alternative to the Nacionalistas by consulting representative of farmers, labor, youth and other sectors.

Senate President Jovito R. Salonga
(April 20, 1982-June 1, 1993)

Outstanding national leader, legal luminary (bar topnotcher), civil libertarian, veteran legislator and educator. He was one of the most seriously injured in the infamous Plaza Miranda bombing. In politics, he holds the distinction of topping three successive senatorial elections. He assumed the leadership of the Party after the death of Sen. Roxas. He was at the helm of the Party when the country is facing the demise of martial rule, the EDSA revolution and the Philippine transition to democracy. It was under his leadership in a Liberal Senate that the pullout of the US Military Bases, the symbol of imperialism, took place. He drafted the LP Vision and Program of Government that is not only liberal and nationalist but also progressive and pro-people. It was also during his term when the Party’s youth wing, Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI), was established.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Wigberto E. Tañada
(June 2, 1993 – Oct. 17, 1994)

A true heir to the legacy of his father, Sen. Lorenzo Tañada, Ka Bobby is a nationalist, peace advocate, a staunch human rights defender, crusader against graft and corruption and a dedicated legislator. His presidency opened the party to different sector and different ideological orientation. He envisioned the party to be a haven of the young believing that their idealism and dynamism will re-invigorate the party. He was a customs commissioner, senator of the republic and representative of the 4th district of Quezon.

Speaker Pro-Tempore Raul A. Daza
(Oct. 18, 1994- Sept. 19, 1999)

A native of Northern Samar, Rep. Daza assumed the presidency at a time when the party is undergoing reorganization and consolidation of ranks to continually serve and represent the people as an organization committed to change, progress and good government. Under his watch, the young turks of the Party gained voice in decision making in the party by appointing leaders of KALIPI in LP Execom. It was also during his term that the LP helped the formation of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, a federation of liberal and democratic parties in the Asian region.

One of the most able and most promising solon in our country today, Cong. Butch, hails from a family of Liberals. Although coming from a political family, he has identified himself with the new breed of young, non-traditional politicians in the country. A freedom fighter that fought the dictatorship. He was appointed Secretary of Agrarian Reform and served as representative of the lone district of Batanes. He was the founding Chairman of the Party’s youth wing, KALIPI. He steered the Party safely to the side of the truth during the impeachment of President Estrada and the second revolution in EDSA.