Partido Demokratiko Pilipino

{{short description|Populist political party in the Philippines}}

{{redirect|Philippine Democratic Party|the unrelated political parties|Democratic Party (Philippines)|and|Democratic Party of the Philippines}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox political party

| abbreviation = PDP

| name = Partido Demokratiko Pilipino

| logo = Partido Demokratiko Pilipino seal.png

| colorcode = {{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}

| president = Robin Padilla

| chairperson = Rodrigo Duterte

| secretary_general = Aimee Torrefranca-Neri

| foundation = {{Unbulleted list|{{Start date and age|1983|2|6}} (merger)|{{bulleted_list|February 6, 1982 (PDP){{Cite web|url=https://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/blog/blog_view.jsp?thread_id=140|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723080719/http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/blog/blog_view.jsp?thread_id=140|url-status=dead|title=Makati Web Portal|archivedate=July 23, 2011|website=www.makati.gov.ph}}|1978 (Laban)}}}}

| ideology = Populism
Social democracy
Federalism
Dutertism

| headquarters = 115-A Palm Court Street corner F.B. Harrison Street, Barangay 69, Pasay, Metro Manila

| website = {{URL|pdplaban.org.ph}}

| country = the Philippines

| founders = Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. (PDP)
Benigno Aquino Jr. (Laban)

| legalised =

| colors = {{Color box|{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}}} Yellow, {{Color box|#00008B}} dark blue, and {{Color box|red}} red

| merger = PDP and Laban

| think_tank = PDP–Laban Federalism Institute{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/02/pdp-laban-book-federalism.html|title=PDP-Laban launches book on federalism|last=Ilas|first=Joyce|date=February 2, 2018|work=CNN Philippines|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604225930/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/02/pdp-laban-book-federalism.html|url-status=dead}}

| membership = 100,000{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Daniza |date=2021-08-06 |title=PDP-Laban willing to accept Bongbong Marcos |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1469941/pdp-laban-open-to-have-bongbong-marcos-as-member |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

| membership_year = 2021

| position = Centre-left

| national = DuterTen (2025–present)

{{collapsible list|title=Former:|UNIDO (1982–1986)|Laban (1987)|Koalisyong Pambansa (1992)|Lakas-Laban Coalition (1995)|LAMMP (1998)|PPC (2001)|KNP (2004)|Genuine Opposition (2007)|Team PNoy (2013)|Coalition for Change (2016–2022)|UniTeam Alliance (2022–2024)}}

| anthem =

| youth =

| seats1_title = Seats in the Senate

| seats1 = {{Composition bar|3|24|{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}}}

| seats2_title = Seats in the House of Representatives

| seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|316|{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}}}

| seats3_title = Provincial governorships

| seats3 = {{Composition bar|2|82|{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}}}

| seats4_title = Provincial vice governorships

| seats4 = {{Composition bar|26|82|{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}}}

| seats5_title = Provincial board members

| seats5 = {{Composition bar|206|1023|{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}}}

}}

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino{{cite news |last1=Elemia |first1=Camille |title=Will PDP-Laban survive Duterte? |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/will-pdp-laban-survive-rodrigo-duterte/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=Rappler |date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224014829/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/will-pdp-laban-survive-rodrigo-duterte/ |archive-date=December 24, 2021}}{{cite journal |last1=Santillan |first1=Noe M. |title=Duterte's Presidency: New Politics, Same Politicians |journal=Social Ethics Society Journal of Applied Philosophy |date=December 2018 |issue=Special Issue |pages=161–180 |url=https://philpapers.org/archive/SANDPN.pdf |access-date=February 7, 2022 |issn=2546-1885}} (PDP; {{lit|Philippine Democratic Party}}) is a populist political party in the Philippines founded in 1982. It was previously known as Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) from 1983 to 2024 as a result of a merger with Lakas ng Bayan (Laban).{{cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/4/20/duterte-stays-with-pdp-851|title=Duterte stays with PDP; party drops 'Laban' from name|first=Annie|last=Perez|work=ABS-CBN News|date=April 20, 2024|accessdate=April 20, 2024}} It was part of the country's ruling party coalition from 1986 to 1992 under the administration of Corazon Aquino and the country's ruling party from 2016 to 2022 under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

Nominally democratic socialist and social democratic,{{Cite web |title=Ideology and Platform – PDP LABAN |url=https://pdplaban.ph/ideology-and-platform/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |language=en}} the party has shifted considerably since its first time in power in the 1980s and 1990s. Since the election of Duterte, the PDP is generally seen to have strayed from its initial social democratic objectives and shifted towards populism and Dutertismo. Officially, Duterte has branded himself, and by extension the party, as sitting on the centre-left{{cite web |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Duterte: I'm a socialist, not a communist; last card |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/779984/duterte-im-a-socialist-not-a-communist-last-card}} to left-wing. However, PDP's policies between 2016 and 2022, which included the Philippine drug war and the proposed reinstatement of the death penalty,{{cite news |last1=Lacorte |first1=Germelina |date=December 28, 2015 |title=Duterte wants death penalty back |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/750698/duterte-wants-death-penalty-back |access-date=May 16, 2016 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}{{cite news |last1=Nawal |first1=Allan |last2=Manlupig |first2=Karlos |date=June 16, 2015 |title=Duterte says he would revive death penalty |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/696527/duterte-says-he-would-revive-death-penalty |access-date=May 16, 2016 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} has led it to be labelled as populist, syncretic, or "ideologically malleable."{{cite book |doi=10.4324/9781003121565 |title=Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia |date=2022 |last1=Liow |first1=Joseph Chinyong |isbn=978-1-003-12156-5 |chapter=Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) (Philippines) |pages=359–390 }} Duterte has been branded a right-wing populist by many observers,{{cite web |title=Duterte sacks 3 left-leaning DSWD undersecretaries |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/18/rodrigo-duterte-fires-dswd-undersecretaries.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123200825/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/18/rodrigo-duterte-fires-dswd-undersecretaries.html |archive-date=November 23, 2018 |access-date=November 23, 2018 |work=cnn |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Duterte appoints new heads to anti-poverty bodies |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/06/Duterte-National-Anti-Poverty-Commission-Presidential-Commission-for-the-Urban-Poor.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124003656/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/06/Duterte-National-Anti-Poverty-Commission-Presidential-Commission-for-the-Urban-Poor.html |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |access-date=November 23, 2018 |work=cnn |language=en}}{{cite web |date=June 29, 2016 |title=Why Duterte is not – and is unlikely to be – a socialist |url=https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/137804-duterte-not-socialist |access-date=November 23, 2018 |work=Rappler |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Erlich |first=Reese |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Foreign Correspondent: The Legacy of Philippine Opposition Leader Ninoy Aquino |url=https://progressive.org/dispatches/oreign-correspondent-the-legacy-of-Ninoy-Aquino-Jr.-181005/ |access-date=November 23, 2018 |work=Progressive.org |language=en-us}}{{cite web |title=Analysis {{!}} So is the wave of populist nationalism finished? Hardly. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/05/17/so-is-the-wave-of-populist-nationalism-finished-hardly/ |access-date=November 23, 2018 |language=en |newspaper=Washington Post}} while the party has been described as having a synthesis of left-wing populist rhetoric and right-wing populist policy.

History

= First major era (1983–1988) =

The party now known as PDP–Laban is the result of a merger between the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino and Lakas ng Bayan.{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2017/09/09/1737507/how-pdp-laban-began|title=How PDP-Laban began {{!}} Philstar.com|website=philstar.com|access-date=July 6, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/405311/|title=Wenceslao: Old PDP-Laban|last=Wenceslao|first=Bong O.|date=November 16, 2017|work=Sunstar|access-date=July 5, 2018}}

==Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)==

Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) was founded on February 6, 1982, in Cebu City by Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. and a group of protesters against the authoritarian government of Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th president of the Philippines, and his ruling party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL). These protesters included the leaders of Cebu City, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro, such as former Cebu 2nd district congressman Antonio Cuenco as the convention's first chairman, Ribomapil Holganza, as the convention's first secretary-general, Zafiro L. Respicio, Rey Magno Teves, Cesar R. Ledesma, Samuel Occeña, Crispin Lanorias and Mords Cua.{{Cite news|title=Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel Jr. and PDP-Laban: A Mindanao story|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/23/opinion/columnists/aquilino-nene-pimentel-jr-and-pdp-laban-a-mindanao-story/650252/|access-date=2021-01-02|website=The Manila Times}}

Ribomapil Holganza, then the party's Secretary-General, with the support of the other Visayas delegates, proposed the name Katipunan, in honor of the historic Filipino nationalist movement. The convention, however, decided against name proposed by Holganza and decided to retain the name Pilipino Democratic Party. The delegates also created the party's official logo which included the image of Lapu-Lapu as a symbol of the party's adherence to Filipino individualism. The Lapu-Lapu image continues to be a prominent figure in PDP–Laban's logo to this day. The delegates also decided that the Filipino version Partido Demokratiko Pilipino may be used alongside the English version Pilipino Democratic Party.{{Cite news|title=Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel Jr. and PDP-Laban: A Mindanao story|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/23/opinion/columnists/aquilino-nene-pimentel-jr-and-pdp-laban-a-mindanao-story/650252/|access-date=2021-01-02|work=The Manila Times|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211002215003/https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/23/opinion/columnists/aquilino-nene-pimentel-jr-and-pdp-laban-a-mindanao-story/650252/|archive-date=October 2, 2021|url-status=live}}

PDP appealed to the non-communist left.{{harvnb| Nemenzo |1985|p=52}} Political scientist Alex Magno described PDP as "more advanced… in its analysis of Philippine society and the ills that beset it" compared with the mainstream anti-Marcos groups. PDP was also unique at its time for operating "on the basis of organizational initiative rather than, merely on the basis of personal loyalty to politician-personalities"; and for requiring prospective members to attend a seminar to learn the party's ideology.{{cite journal |last1=Lallana |first1=Emmanuel C. |title=Political Parties, Political Clans and the Prospects for Philippine Democracy |journal=Philippine Political Science Journal |date=December 1989 |volume=15 |issue=1–2 |pages=43–62 |doi=10.1163/2165025X-0150102004}}

==Merger into PDP–Laban and 1986 snap election==

In early 1982, talks began between Pimentel Jr. and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. on the possible merge of PDP with Lakas ng Bayan (LABAN; {{lit|People's Power}}), the party founded by Aquino in 1978 for the Interim Batasang Pambansa elections. In a letter sent by Aquino to Senator Lorenzo Tañada dated March 16, Aquino stressed the "umbrella organization" status of LABAN rather than as a political party, being composed of members coming from other political parties. Furthermore, Aquino thought that the merger was not a wise move, given: 1) LABAN's more established name compared to PDP, which was just recently organized; 2) the aforementioned "umbrella organization" status compared to PDP's nature as a political party, and; 3) that some members of LABAN may find the rules of PDP questionable.{{cite news|url=https://lorenzomtanada.org/leader_of_the_opposition/#0|title=Letter From Aquino, 16 Mar 1982|accessdate=August 12, 2024|website=lorenzomtanada.org}} However, despite these initial concerns, in February 1983, PDP formally merged with LABAN. The merger was complementary, as PDP was mass-based and had its bailiwick in Visayas and Mindanao, while LABAN was composed of traditional politicians and had its bailiwick in Luzon and Metro Manila.{{cite journal |last1=Kimura |first1=Masataka |title=Martial Law and the Realignment of Political Parties in the Philippines (September 1972 – February 1986): With a Case in the Province of Batangas |journal=Southeast Asian Studies |date=September 1991 |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=205–226 |doi=10.20495/tak.29.2_205}}{{cite journal |last1=Teehankee |first1=Julio C. |author1-link=Julio C. Teehankee |title=Factional Dynamics in Philippine Party Politics, 1900–2019 |journal=Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs |date=2020 |volume=39 |issue=1 |pages=98–123 |doi=10.1177/1868103420913404|s2cid=219436839 |doi-access=free }}

In August 1983, Aquino was assassinated. This, along with an economic crisis, plunged Marcos' popularity and sparked protests. In the parliamentary election of 1984, PDP–Laban and the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) were the major opposition groups. PDP–Laban won six seats.{{harvnb|Teehankee|2002|pp=161–162}} That same year, in anticipation of a snap election, influential opposition figures convened to select a common presidential candidate. Pimentel was included in their shortlist of eleven possible standard bearers. However, UNIDO nominated Salvador Laurel as their presidential candidate. In October 1985, Chino Roces launched the Cory Aquino for President Movement (CAPM), which aimed to nominate Aquino's widow, Corazon, as the opposition's presidential candidate. PDP–Laban was a strong supporter of the movement. In November 1985, Marcos called for a snap presidential election. Later that month, the opposition parties including PDP–Laban formed a new coalition called Laban ng Bayan. Laurel eventually gave way and became Corazon Aquino's running mate under the UNIDO-Laban ng Bayan coalition.

PDP–Laban then aligned itself with UNIDO, which became the main group and leader of the coalition that opposed Marcos. After the People Power Revolution of 1986, which saw Aquino and Laurel proclaimed president and vice president respectively, PDP–Laban continued its alliance with UNIDO until the latter's dissolution in 1987.

==Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino split==

Before the 1988 local elections, some senators including Aquilino Pimentel Jr. criticized the party along with Lakas ng Bansa for their loosening policy towards accepting members of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), a party which was largely composed of Marcos loyalists and sympathizers.{{cite news|last=Maragay|first=Feliciano V.|title=Senators assail entry of KBLs into coalition|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19871226&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|access-date=June 28, 2021|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Standard Publications, Inc.|date=December 26, 1987|page=1}} In 1988, PDP–Laban was split into two factions: the Pimentel Wing led by Pimentel and the Cojuangco Wing led by Peping Cojuangco The Cojuangco Wing and the Lakas ng Bansa party of House Speaker Ramon Mitra, Jr. merged on September 16, 1988 to form the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP).

After the merger, the prominence of PDP–Laban greatly fell, and the party was not a major party until the 2016 presidential election with the campaign of eventual winner Rodrigo Duterte.

=1988–2016=

In the Senate, Aquilino Pimentel Jr. had been the person most associated with the party, with him serving multiple terms in the Senate. After he retired, his son Koko Pimentel won an electoral protest to enter the Senate in 2011.

PDP–Laban has become associated with the Binay dynasty of Makati, with Jejomar Binay as its mayor and his allies holding the two districts of Makati in the House of Representatives. Other strongholds of the party include Davao City, where Rodrigo Duterte won multiple terms as mayor.

On July 1, 2015, as part of his bid for the 2016 presidential election, then-Vice President Binay resigned as party chairman and formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Since then, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III headed the party as its national president.

= Second major era (2016–2021) =

File:Partido_Demokratiko_Pilipino_-_Lakas_ng_Bayan_(PDP-Laban).svg

The party was re-grouping, and there are some movements of expansion especially in Mindanao, where it originated, particularly in the Davao region. Two of the party's founders, Crispin Lanorias and Cesar Ledesma, are again active in recent party activities. After the 2016 elections, PDP–Laban signed a coalition agreement with the Nacionalista Party, Lakas–CMD, National Unity Party and the Nationalist People's Coalition, witnessed by then president-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Immediately after the May 2016 elections, several representatives from other parties moved to PDP–Laban, notably: Geraldine Roman (Bataan), Alfred Vargas (Quezon City), and Ansaruddin Adiong (Lanao del Sur).{{cite news|title=More LP lawmakers, local officials jump ship to admin party|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/05/11/10-congressmen-jump-ship-to-PDP-Laban.html|access-date=January 21, 2018|agency=CNN Philippines|date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717042521/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/05/11/10-congressmen-jump-ship-to-PDP-Laban.html|archive-date=July 17, 2017|url-status=dead}} The party's presence in the House of Representatives eventually grew from three members in the 16th Congress, to 123 members in the current 17th Congress.{{cite news|last1=Cabacungan|first1=Gil|title=From 3 to 300, PDP-Laban forms 'supermajority' in House|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/787547/from-3-to-300-pdp-laban-forms-supermajority-in-house|access-date=January 21, 2018|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109182408/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/787547/from-3-to-300-pdp-laban-forms-supermajority-in-house|archive-date=January 9, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Romero|first1=Paolo|title=Pimentel denies Alvarez booted out of PDP-Laban|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/08/27/1733156/pimentel-denies-alvarez-booted-out-pdp-laban|access-date=January 21, 2018|newspaper=The Philippine Star|date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826232154/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/08/27/1733156/pimentel-denies-alvarez-booted-out-pdp-laban|archive-date=August 26, 2017}} By April 2018, 300,000 politicians had joined the party, according to Koko Pimentel.{{Cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/985397/300000-politicians-have-jumped-ship-to-pdp-laban-says-pimentel|title=300,000 politicians have jumped ship to PDP-Laban, says Pimentel|last=See|first=Aie Balagtas|access-date=July 8, 2018}}

Reacting to the influx of new members, party founder Nene Pimentel urged members to question the motivations of new incoming politicians and ensure they are interested in the party's ideals. He stated that these new members might only be interested in identifying with the current administration, in order to boost their chances of winning in the upcoming 2019 elections.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/177090-nene-pimentel-pdp-laban-question-motives|title=Question new members' motives, Nene Pimentel urges PDP-Laban|work=Rappler|access-date=July 8, 2018}}

PDP–Laban plans to learn from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It is set to send some of its members to the CCP's school in Fujian for "policy training" to learn more on how the party is organized.{{cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/176073-pdp-laban-china-communist-party-ideology-policy |title=PDP-Laban 'very open' to learn ideology, policy from China's Communist Party|date=July 19, 2017 |publisher=Rappler|access-date=August 23, 2017}} The Filipino party also established ties with United Russia, Russia's ruling party, in October 2017.{{cite news|last1=Alvarez|first1=Kathrina Charmaine|title=Duterte's PDP-Laban inks memorandum with United Russia party|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/630000/duterte-s-pdp-laban-inks-memorandum-with-united-russia-party/story/|access-date=October 24, 2017|work=GMA News|date=October 18, 2017}} PDP–Laban has also expressed interest in sending a delegation to the Workers' Party of Korea, which is the ruling party of North Korea. A four-member delegation is set to meet with the North Korean party in July 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/15/18/pdp-laban-reps-off-to-north-korea-this-week|title=PDP-Laban reps off to North Korea this week|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=July 25, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/168430/pdp-laban-delegation-to-north-korea|title=PDP-Laban to send 4-member delegation to North Korea|last=Yap|first=DJ|access-date=July 25, 2018}}

== 2018 leadership crisis ==

On July 23, 2018, the same day as Duterte's third State of the Nation Address, an internal leadership dispute within the House of Representatives' majority resulted in former president and current Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo becoming Speaker of the lower house, replacing Pantaleon Alvarez.{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/25/1836677/arroyo-alvarez-meet-after-house-leadership-change|title=Arroyo, Alvarez meet after House leadership change {{!}} Philstar.com|website=philstar.com|access-date=July 25, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2018/07/25/House-holds-first-full-session-under-Speaker-Arroyo.html|title=House holds first full session under Speaker Arroyo|work=cnn|access-date=July 25, 2018|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725153248/http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2018/07/25/House-holds-first-full-session-under-Speaker-Arroyo.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/25/18/arroyo-meets-alvarez-following-house-coup|title=Arroyo meets Alvarez following House coup|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=July 25, 2018}} The resolution was adopted that same night with 184 voting in favor and 12 abstaining.{{Cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/25/18/amid-shouting-house-adopts-resolution-recognizing-arroyo-as-speaker|title=Amid shouting, House adopts resolution recognizing Arroyo as Speaker|last=Cruz|first=RG|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=July 25, 2018}} Arroyo was previously a member of Lakas–CMD, before switching to PDP–Laban in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/gma-leaves-lakas-cmd-for-pdp-laban-to-consolidate-support-for-du30/|title=GMA leaves Lakas–CMD for PDP-Laban to 'consolidate support' for DU30|date=October 11, 2017|website=Interaksyon}}

Some representatives, including Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya (Camarines Sur), had been eyeing to shift towards other political parties after Arroyo's ascendance to the House's leadership.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/208236-lawmakers-eyeing-leave-pdp-laban|title=Lawmakers 'left out in the cold' now eyeing to leave PDP-Laban|work=Rappler|access-date=July 27, 2018}} Andaya also had said that some lawmakers might join Lakas–CMD, Arroyo's former party, and merge with Sara Duterte-Carpio's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/26/Rolando-Andaya-PDP-Laban-Gloria-Arroyo.html|title=Deputy Speaker: Some solons plan to leave PDP-Laban to join Arroyo's former political party|work=cnn|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181126/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/26/Rolando-Andaya-PDP-Laban-Gloria-Arroyo.html|url-status=dead}} Duterte-Carpio denied rumors that members of PDP–Laban were seeking to move into HNP, which is a regional party based in Davao Region.{{cite web|url=http://thestandard.com.ph/news/top-stories/271558/exodus-from-pdp-denied-laughed-off.html|title=Exodus from PDP denied, laughed off|date=July 28, 2018|website=Manila Standard|access-date=July 28, 2018}}

Succeeding these events, a faction sought to unseat PDP–Laban's high-ranking officials.{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/27/1837292/pdp-laban-faction-elects-new-leaders-pimentel-shrugs-off|title=PDP-Laban faction elects new leaders; Pimentel shrugs off {{!}} Philstar.com|website=philstar.com|access-date=July 27, 2018}} Willy Talag, president of the party's Makati city council and chair of the membership committee of the NCR Chapter, said during an assembly of the party on July 27 that PDP–Laban's current leaders have committed violations, including holding mass oath-taking of members “without proper basic seminar” and swearing-in officials that are “involved in illegal drugs."{{Cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1014934/pdp-laban-faction-seeks-to-unseat-party-leaders|title=PDP-Laban mutiny: Faction seeks to unseat Pimentel, Alvarez, other party leaders|last=Roxas|first=Pathricia Ann V.|access-date=July 27, 2018}} The faction elected Rogelio Garcia and Talag as party president and chairman, respectively, removing Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez from their respective positions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/208308-expelled-pdp-laban-members-unseat-pimentel-alvarez-as-leaders|title=Pimentel, Alvarez 'unseated' as PDP-Laban leaders|work=Rappler|access-date=July 27, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/genuine-pdp-laban-replaces-pimentel-alvarez-as-party-leaders-bong-go-named-auditor/423855/|title='Genuine' PDP-Laban replaces Pimentel, Alvarez as party leaders; Bong Go named auditor – The Manila Times Online|website=www.manilatimes.net|date=27 July 2018 |access-date=July 27, 2018}}

Koko Pimentel dismissed the election of new leaders, disowning the group and assembly,{{Cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1014948/koko-pimentel-dismisses-pdp-chapter-assembly|title=Koko pooh-poohs PDP-Laban revolt: Don't believe them, just enjoy their show|last=Roxas|first=Pathricia Ann V.|access-date=July 27, 2018}} and called the event an "unofficial, unauthorized, rogue assembly using the name of PDP–Laban".{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/27/PDP-Laban-party-President-Koko-Pimentel.html|title=PDP-Laban event, change of leadership 'unauthorized' – Pimentel|work=cnn|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727114827/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/27/PDP-Laban-party-President-Koko-Pimentel.html|url-status=dead}} Sen. Pimentel, who has personally dismissed the election,{{Cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/662162/pdp-laban-may-be-erased-from-political-landscape-amid-party-leadership-squabble-castro/story/|title=PDP-Laban may be erased from political landscape amid party leadership squabble —Castro|work=GMA News Online|access-date=July 28, 2018}} together with PDP–Laban vice chairman and Department of Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi, and Rep. Alvarez have notified members that the supposed national assembly was not officially sanctioned by the party. Special Assistant to the President Bong Go said in an interview with CNN Philippines that Duterte is set to meet the two factions, in an effort to unite the party.{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/28/Duterte-meet-two-factions-to-unite-PDP-Laban.html|title=Duterte to meet with two factions to unite PDP-Laban|work=cnn|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191019/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/28/Duterte-meet-two-factions-to-unite-PDP-Laban.html|url-status=dead}}

==2019 general election==

Months later, on November 30, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released a statement recognizing Pimentel's group as the legitimate leadership of PDP–Laban.{{Cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/676655/comelec-recognizes-pimentel-group-as-legitimate-official-reps-of-pdp-laban/story/|title=Comelec recognizes Pimentel group as legitimate official reps of pdp laban|work=GMA News Online|access-date=November 30, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1058837/comelec-declares-pimentels-group-as-the-legitimate-pdp-laban|title=Comelec declares Pimentel's group as the 'legitimate' PDP Laban|last=Marquez|first=Consuelo|access-date=November 30, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/30/pimentel-lauds-comelecs-recognition-of-his-leadership-in-pdp-laban/|title=Pimentel lauds Comelec's recognition of his leadership in PDP-Laban|work=Manila Bulletin News|access-date=November 30, 2018}} Following this, Pimentel has said that his faction will not recognize candidates from the Garcia wing.{{cite web|url=https://www.untvweb.com/news/candidates-under-alleged-bogus-pdp-laban-likely-to-face-complaints/|title=Candidates under alleged 'bogus' PDP-Laban likely to face complaints – UNTV News|date=December 3, 2018|website=UNTV News|access-date=December 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/03/18/koko-rejects-poll-bets-from-pdp-laban-faction|title=Koko rejects poll bets from PDP-Laban faction|website=ABS-CBN News|access-date=December 5, 2018}}

The party secured three new seats in the Senate after winning the 2019 general election, with Bato dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, and Bong Go joining the upper house, increasing the number of PDP–Laban senators to five. Meanwhile, the party kept its majority in the House of Representatives, forming a coalition with the Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People's Coalition, Lakas–CMD, some members of the Liberal Party, and several party-lists.

In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Manny Pacquiao was installed as party president, replacing Pimentel.{{Cite web|title=With Pacquiao as party president, PDP-Laban says 'too early to talk about 2022 elections'|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/pacquiao-party-president-pdp-laban-says-too-early-talk-elections-2022|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Rappler|date=3 December 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Galvez|first=Daphne|date=2020-12-03|title=Pimentel: Pacquiao to bring more discipline to PDP-Laban|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1367617/pimentel-pacquiao-to-bring-more-discipline-to-pdp-laban|access-date=2020-12-28|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}

==2021 party faction dispute and 2022 election==

File:PDP-Laban logo.svg

File:Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.png. The current logo included the figure on top of a clenched fist. The Pacquiao-Pimentel wing of the party reused this version of the logo during the 2021 leadership dispute.]]

{{further|2021 PDP–Laban dispute}}

Manny Pacquiao was elected to the position of PDP–Laban president in December 2020 under an acting capacity. An internal rift in within the party started in early 2021, when Pacquiao criticized Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's policy regarding the South China Sea dispute, finding Duterte's response against China's assertions of its claim in the area as lacking. Duterte, also the PDP–Laban chairman, rebuked Pacquiao's criticisms and took offense to a statement attributed to Pacquiao that his administration was more corrupt than his predecessors. Pacquiao also came into conflict with PDP–Laban vice chairman Alfonso Cusi.{{cite news |last1=Baclig |first1=Cristina Eloisa |title=PDP-Laban: From fighting dictatorship to fighting each other |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1460562/pdp-laban-from-fighting-dictatorship-to-fighting-each-other |access-date=17 July 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=16 July 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Peña |first1=Kurt Dela |title=As Duterte-Pacquiao rift widens, ruling party's future hangs in the balance |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1452989/as-duterte-pacquiao-rift-widens-ruling-partys-future-hangs-in-the-balance |access-date=17 July 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=29 June 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Comelec may step in to resolve PDP-Laban squabble |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146376 |access-date=17 July 2021 |work=Philippine News Agency |language=en}}

On July 17, 2021, amidst the split between Pacquiao and Cusi, Alfonso Cusi was elected as the party's president in a meeting attended by President Duterte.{{cite news|title=Cusi faction knocks out Pacquiao as PDP-Laban president|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/07/17/2113177/cusi-faction-knocks-out-pacquiao-pdp-laban-president|newspaper=Philippine Star|last=Gregorio|first=Xave|language=en|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 17, 2021}}{{cite news|title=Pacquiao out, Cusi is new PDP-Laban president|url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/17/pacquiao-out-cusi-is-new-pdp-laban-president/|newspaper=Manila Bulletin|last=Terrazola|first=Vanne Elaine|language=en|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 17, 2021}}{{cite news|title=Pacquiao out, Cusi in as PDP-Laban president|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1460779/pacquiao-out-cusi-in-as-pdp-laban-president|work=INQUIRER.net|last=Mercado|first=Neil Arwin|language=en|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 17, 2021}}{{cite news|title=PDP-Laban ousts Pacquiao as president, installs Cusi|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/795758/pdp-laban-declares-pacquiao-s-post-as-president-vacant/story/|work=GMA News Online|last=Llanesca T. Panti|first=Hanna Bordey|language=en|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 17, 2021}}{{cite news|title=Alfonso Cusi elected as new PDP-Laban President|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/17/21/pdp-laban-new-president-alfonso-cusi|work=ABS-CBN News|date=July 17, 2021}}

On September 9, 2021, the Cusi-led faction of PDP–Laban would nominate Duterte as their vice presidential nominee for the 2022 election but without a standard bearer for the presidency. However, during the filing of candidacies, Duterte backed down from running as vice president. On September 19, 2021, the Pacquiao-led faction of PDP–Laban formally nominated Pacquiao as their presidential candidate for 2022.{{Cite news|last=Gutierrez|first=Jason|date=2021-09-20|title=Boxer Manny Pacquiao Joins Philippine Presidential Race|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/20/world/asia/manny-pacquiao-president-philippines.html|access-date=2021-10-07|issn=0362-4331}} During the filing of the candidacy, Pacquiao announced that Lito Atienza will be his running mate.{{Cite web|title=Boxing icon Pacquiao files candidacy for president with Atienza in his corner|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/10/01/2131053/boxing-icon-pacquiao-files-candidacy-president-atienza-his-corner|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Philstar.com}}{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Cathrine|date=2021-10-01|title=Atienza as Pacquiao's VP, and other surprises during 1st day of COC filing|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1495685/atienza-as-pacquiaos-vp-and-other-surprises-during-1st-day-of-coc-filing|access-date=2022-02-10|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}

On October 8, 2021, senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go filed their candidacy for president and vice president, respectively, as standard bearers for the Duterte-Cusi faction.{{Cite web|last=Galvez|first=Daphne|date=2021-10-08|title='Bato' dela Rosa is Cusi wing PDP-Laban's standard-bearer for 2022 polls|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1499224/bato-is-cusi-wing-pdp-labans-standard-bearer-for-2022-polls|access-date=2022-02-10|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}{{Cite news|title=PDP-Laban fields Bato-Bong tandem|work=Philippine News Agency|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156076|access-date=}} On November 13, 2021, dela Rosa withdrew his candidacy with Go taking his place as the faction's presidential nominee.{{Cite news|title=Bato Dela Rosa withdraws from 2022 presidential race|work=CNN Philippines|url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/13/bato-dela-rosa-withdraws-2022-presidential-race.html|access-date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=November 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113124320/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/13/bato-dela-rosa-withdraws-2022-presidential-race.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-13|title=Bong Go backs out of VP race, runs for president instead|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/bong-go-backs-out-vice-presidential-race-runs-for-president-2022-polls/|access-date=2022-02-10|website=RAPPLER|language=en-US}} One month after, Go also withdrew his candidacy, leaving the Duterte-Cusi faction without a nominee in the 2022 election.{{Cite web|title=Go formally drops out of presidential race|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/14/2147916/go-formally-drops-out-presidential-race|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Philstar.com}}

On January 21, 2022, the Duterte-Cusi faction announced Sara Duterte as their adopted candidate for vice president;{{Cite web|last=Mercado|first=Neil A.|title=Cusi-led PDP-Laban wing adopts Sara Duterte as VP candidate|date=21 January 2022 |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1543232/cusi-led-pdp-laban-wing-adopts-sara-duterte-as-vp-candidate|access-date=2022-01-21|language=en-US}} the Cusi wing later supported her running mate, Bongbong Marcos, a son of a former President Ferdinand Marcos, on March 22, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Lara |title=Duterte's PDP-Laban faction endorses Marcos' presidential bid |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/3/22/Bongbong-Marcos-PDP-Laban-endorsement-Duterte-Cusi.html |website=CNN Philippines |access-date=March 23, 2022 |date=March 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322125354/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/3/22/Bongbong-Marcos-PDP-Laban-endorsement-Duterte-Cusi.html |url-status=dead }} The endorsement of Marcos by the Cusi wing is criticized by both Pimentel and the original members of the party as PDP–Laban was established to oppose the Marcos dictatorship.{{cite web |last1=Torregoza |first1=Hannah |title=Pimentel slams PDP-Laban Cusi wing's endorsement of BBM, says ruling party was established to oppose Marcos dictatorship |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/22/pimentel-legitimate-pdp-laban-was-established-to-oppose-marcos-dictatorship/ |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=March 23, 2022 |date=March 22, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Gomez |first1=Herbie |title=PDP's original members go ballistic over Cusi wing's endorsement of Marcos |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/pdp-laban-original-members-reactions-cusi-wing-endorsement-marcos-jr/ |website=Rappler |access-date=March 23, 2022 |date=March 22, 2022}}

The Pimentel-Pacquiao faction meanwhile maintained that Pacquiao and Atienza are the "genuine" standard bearers of PDP–Laban.{{Cite web|title=Pacquiao faction blasts PDP-Laban's adoption of Sara Duterte|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/22/pacquiao-faction-blasts-pdp-labans-adoption-of-sara-duterte|website=ABS-CBN News}}

On May 5, 2022, PDP–Laban has been declared by the Commission on Elections as the "dominant majority party" for the 2022 elections. The Comelec en banc made the decision despite the pending leadership dispute within the ruling party.{{Cite web |last=Medenilla |first=Samuel P. |date=2022-05-05 |title=Comelec declares PDP-Laban dominant majority party {{!}} Samuel P. Medenilla |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/05/05/comelec-declares-pdp-laban-dominant-majority-party/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=BusinessMirror |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |title=Comelec: PDP-Laban is dominant majority party, Nacionalista is dominant minority party |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1592899/comelec-pdp-laban-is-dominant-majority-party-nacionalista-is-dominant-minority-party |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=newsinfo.inquirer.net |date=5 May 2022 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=PDP-Laban named dominant majority party amid split in ranks |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/05/05/2178965/pdp-laban-named-dominant-majority-party-amid-split-ranks |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=www.philstar.com |language=en-US}}

The party's two factions have both applied for accreditation as the dominant majority party, thus, PDP–Laban “shall be treated as one single political party for purposes of determining the dominant majority party," as stated in the COMELEC's Resolution No. 10787 which was promulgated on May 4. In the same issuance, COMELEC also declared the Nacionalista Party (NP) as the "dominant minority party." As the dominant majority, PDP–Laban will be entitled to 5th copy of the election returns and 7th copy of the certificates of canvass, as well as getting preference in the deployment of election watchers.

On May 6, 2022, days before the 2022 elections, the COMELEC recognized the Duterte-Cusi faction as the legitimate and official PDP–Laban.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Christia Marie |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Comelec recognizes Cusi wing as 'true, official' PDP-Laban |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1593119/comelec-recognizes-cusi-wing-as-true-official-pdp-laban |access-date=May 6, 2022 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

=Post-Duterte administration=

Following the end of Rodrigo Duterte's term as President on June 30, 2022, PDP–Laban saw the departure of its members for the majority Lakas–CMD or the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, which is headed by Duterte's successor, Bongbong Marcos.

On April 19, 2024, during the party's national council meeting held at the Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City,{{cite news|title=PDP drops Laban from name, endorses 2025 bets|website=INQUIRER.net|date=April 21, 2024|accessdate=May 1, 2024|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1931832/pdp-drops-laban-from-name-endorses-2025-bets|first=Nestle|last=Semilla}} the Duterte-Cusi faction dropped the "Laban" from its name, reverting to its original name Partido Demokratiko Pilipino. On the same day, it was also announced that it would field incumbent Senators Ronald Dela Rosa, Bong Go, and Francis Tolentino and actor Phillip Salvador for the 2025 Philippine Senate election. Tolentino later resigned from the party in mid-2024 over difference on stance in the South China Sea dispute, leaving Dela Rosa, Go, and Salvador for renomination on September 20.{{cite news |last1=Bordey |first1=Hana |title=Tolentino resigns from PDP due to 'differences' on WPS stand |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/915938/tolentino-resigns-from-pdp-due-to-differences-on-wps-stand/story/ |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=GMA News |date=5 August 2024 |language=en}} Despite the name change, party vice chairman Alfonso Cusi clarified that "Laban" would be retained in the official party name to avoid complications with the Commission on Elections in the 2025 elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/921175/pdp-laban-nominates-go-dela-rosa-salvador-as-senate-bets-for-eleksyon-2025/story/|title=PDP-Laban nominates Go, Dela Rosa, Salvador as Senate bets for Eleksyon 2025|first=Hana|last=Bordey|date=September 20, 2024|accessdate=September 21, 2024|work=GMA Integrated News}}

Koko Pimentel, the leader of the opposing faction, criticized the rebranding, suggesting that the Duterte-Cusi faction should have created a new party instead, as he believes their actions aimed to erase the party's identity as a "left-of-center" organization.{{cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/22/pdp-laban-stalwart-pimentel-why-take-over-party-just-to-change-it-1143|title=PDP-Laban stalwart Pimentel: Why take over party just to change it?|publisher=ABS-CBN News|date=April 22, 2024|accessdate=May 1, 2024}}

On September 5, 2024, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, son of party chairman Rodrigo Duterte, joined the party as its new member and executive vice chairperson.{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/919483/baste-duterte-joins-pdp/story/|title=Baste Duterte joins PDP|first=Vince|last=Ferreras|work=GMA Integrated News|date=September 5, 2024|accessdate=September 21, 2024}}

On September 20, 2024, PDP formally formed an alliance for the 2025 elections with Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan and the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC). Greco Belgica and Pantaleon Alvarez signed the agreement.{{cite news |last1= Ismael|first1= Javier Joe |title=PDP forms alliance with 3 parties|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/09/22/news/national/pdp-forms-alliance-with-3-parties/1973092|accessdate=September 22, 2024 |work= |date=September 22, 2024}} In October 2024, the initial senatorial nominees—Ronald Dela Rosa, Bong Go, and Phillip Salvador—filed their candidacies for the Senate. Singer Jimmy Bondoc, former Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator & CEO Raul Lambino, and lawyer Jayvee Hinlo also filed as the additional senatorial candidates representing the party.{{cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.net/417762/fwd-list-66-senatorial-aspirants-made-it-to-partial-list-for-midterm-poll-ballots/|title=Comelec releases initial list of 66 bets for 2025 Senate race|first= John Eric|last=Mendoza|date=October 16, 2024|accessdate=October 19, 2024|website=INQUIRER.net}} Independents Victor Rodriguez, Rodante Marcoleta, and Apollo Quiboloy were also added into the lineup, ending up with nine senatorial candidates. Eric Martinez, the party vice president for Luzon and independent senatorial candidate, opted not to be included in the slate as he intends to "discharge any political bandages."{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/934878/political-butterfly-martinez-says-he-was-replaced-as-official-bet/story/|title=Political butterfly? Martinez says he was replaced as official bet|first=Mariel Celine|last=Serquiña|date=February 2, 2025|accessdate=February 16, 2025|work=GMA Integrated News}} The party launched their senatorial slate's campaign on February 13, 2025, at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila.{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/936126/duterte-backed-pdp-laban-kicks-off-eleksyon2025-senatorial-bid/story/|title=Duterte-backed PDP Laban kicks off Eleksyon 2025 senatorial bid|first=Giselle|last=Ombay|date=February 13, 2025|accessdate=February 16, 2025|work=GMA Integrated News}} On April 10, 2025, pediatrician and content creator Richard Mata (an independent candidate and Bong Go's uncle) officially joined the slate, completing the "Duter-Ten" lineup (the word "Duter-Ten" is a portmanteau of "Duterte" and "ten", a reference to a ten PDP candidates approved and supported by the former president Rodrigo Duterte).{{Cite web |last=Talampaso |first=Cocoy |date=2025-04-11 |title=Welcome to Team Suka! Richard Mata joins PDP senatorial slate |url=https://politiko.com.ph/2025/04/11/welcome-to-team-suka-richard-mata-joins-pdp-senatorial-slate/snitch-network/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=politiko.com.ph |language=en-US}}

Ideology and platform

Historically, PDP–Laban claimed to be a centre-left{{cite web |author=John Milo |date=May 12, 2019 |title=Philippines midterm elections lay groundwork for expansion of presidential powers |url=https://foreignbrief.com/daily-news/philippines-midterm-elections-lay-groundwork-for-expansion-of-presidential-powers/ |work=Foreign Brief |quote=Mr Duterte's center-left PDP-Laban party-led bloc is expected to increase its 248-seat House majority on current polling while in the Senate, Duterte's allies are also expected to take 10 of 12 seats.}} or left-wing{{cite web |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Ex-dictator Marcos to be buried in heroes' cemetery in Manila |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ex-dictator-marcos-to-be-buried-in-heroes-cemetery-in-manila/a-36302051 |work=Deutsche Welle |quote=Duterte – leader of the left-wing PDP–Laban – has since his May election victory praised among other things Adolf Hitler’s efficiency and said he would seek to emulate it in his war on crime. .}} party that describes itself as a democratic socialist,{{cite web|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/philippines-with-chinese-characteristics/398643/|title=Philippines with Chinese characteristics? – The Manila Times Online|website=www.manilatimes.net|date=May 14, 2018 |access-date=August 12, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/405074|title=Bondoc likely bet for guv in 2019|last=bondoc-likely-bet-guv-2019-574929|date=November 15, 2017|work=Sunstar|access-date=August 12, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412134241/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/405074|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/177090-nene-pimentel-pdp-laban-question-motives|title=Question new members' motives, Nene Pimentel urges PDP-Laban|work=Rappler|access-date=August 12, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/05/1765508/pdp-laban-accepting-new-members-until-february-2018|title=PDP-Laban accepting new members until February 2018 {{!}} Philstar.com|website=philstar.com|access-date=August 12, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1021283|title=PDP-Laban not out to 'learn communism' in CPC partnership|access-date=August 12, 2018}} social-democratic,{{cite book|editor=Raul P. De Guzman, Mila A. Reforma |title=Government and Politics of the Philippines |date=1988 |page=101 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}{{cite book|editor=Robert Dayley |title=Southeast Asia in the New International Era |quote= the Philippine Democrat Party—People's Power (PDP-Laban), the current ruling party which claims social democracy as its ideology and advocates for federalism. |date=2019 |publisher=Routledge}}{{cite book|editor=Jeffrey M. Riedinger |title=Agrarian Reform in the Philippines: Democratic Transitions and Redistributive Reform |quote= Organized in February 1982, the Pilipino Democratic Party ( PDP ) was the principal political vehicle for social democrats in the later years of the Marcos regime. |date=2020 |page=28 |publisher=Stanford University Press}} and populist party.{{cite news|work=PanAtlantic Journal|title=Philippine vice president quits Cabinet in tiff with Duterte|date=December 6, 2016|url=http://www.pa-journal.com/philippine-vice-president-quits-cabinet-tiff-duterte/|access-date=December 1, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624221846/http://www.pa-journal.com/philippine-vice-president-quits-cabinet-tiff-duterte/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/10/duterte-us/505001/|title=What Is Rodrigo Duterte Trying to Achieve?|date=October 25, 2016}} In spite of this, the party is seen as having little to do with the Western concept of democratic socialism. According to scholar Joseph Chinyong Liow, PDP-Laban operates as do many Philippine political parties: "weak, ideologically malleable, and often merely vehicles of personal ambitions", centered around Rodrigo Duterte specifically. Chinyong Liow describes the synthesis of the party under Duterte of left-wing populist rhetoric, such as poverty reduction and consensus decision-making, and right-wing populist actions, such as the Philippine drug war launched upon Duterte taking office. The party has also recently taken influence from the Chinese Communist Party.{{Cite web |last=Pazzibugan |first=Dona Z. |date=2017-07-19 |title=PDP-Laban out to learn ideology from Communist Party of China |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/158865/pdp-laban-learn-ideology-communist-party-china |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

It has adopted a preference for bilateral dialogue with China when it comes to resolving the South China Sea dispute.{{cite web |last1=Rabena |first1=Aaron Jed |title=China's CPC deepens ties with Philippine political parties |url=https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/chinas-cpc-deepens-ties-philippine-political-parties |website=ThinkChina |access-date=5 August 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Bordey |first1=Hana |title=Tolentino resigns from PDP due to 'differences' on WPS stand |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/915938/tolentino-resigns-from-pdp-due-to-differences-on-wps-stand/story/ |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=GMA News Online |date=5 August 2024 |language=en}}

The party also has federalist tendencies.{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/01/16/18/what-is-the-pdp-laban-federalism-model|title=What is the PDP-Laban federalism model?|date=January 16, 2018|publisher=ABS CBN News|website=news.abs-cbn.com}} The party advocates a transition to a federal,{{Cite news |last=Ager |first=Maila |title=Duterte's ideology different from Marcos', Koko tells Kiko |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/883441/dutertes-ideology-different-from-marcos-koko-tells-kiko |access-date=July 8, 2018}} presidential form of government from the current unitary presidential system{{Cite news |title=Over 4,000 support federalism in Misamis Occidental |url=http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1009125 |access-date=July 8, 2018}}{{Cite news |title=PDP-Laban launches book on federalism |work=cnn |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/02/pdp-laban-book-federalism.html |access-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604225930/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/02/pdp-laban-book-federalism.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |last=Merez |first=Arianne |title=What is the PDP-Laban federalism model? |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/01/16/18/what-is-the-pdp-laban-federalism-model |access-date=July 5, 2018}} through a revision of the present 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. According to self-published materials, the party seeks a peaceful and democratic way of life characterized by "freedom, solidarity, justice, equity, social responsibility, self-reliance, efficiency and enlightened nationalism".{{cite web|url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2018/0228_pimentel1.asp|title=Press Release – Pimentel: PDP Laban at 36: Fulfilling the promise of Change|website=www.senate.gov.ph|access-date=November 18, 2018}} It has touted as its five guiding principles the following: theism, authentic humanism, enlightened nationalism, democratic socialism, and consultative and participatory democracy.{{Cite news|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/164673/pimentel-allays-concerns-pdp-laban-ties-chinas-reds|title=Pimentel allays concerns over PDP-Laban ties with China's reds|last=Avendaño|first=Christine O.|access-date=July 5, 2018}} The context of its espoused ideology has been in dispute, however, due to the party's recent pro-China, pro-Russia and North Korea-friendly stance since Duterte's rise in the party.{{synthesis inline|date=August 2023}}

Symbols

{{Further|Laban sign|Duterte fist}}

From the 1980s, the 'Laban' or 'L' sign was a hand gesture used by the party, along with other members of the UNIDO coalition, which originally supported Corazon Aquino. This was done by raising the thumb and index finger over the forehead, forming a letter "L' shape.{{Cite book|title=Republican Party Reptile|url=https://archive.org/details/republicanpartyr00orou|url-access=registration|last=P. J.|first=O'Rourke|publisher=Atlantic Monthly Press|year=1987|isbn=978-1-5558-4717-3|location=New York, NY, United States of America}} This was popularized during the People Power Revolution.{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2017/08/16/1729898/story-laban|title=Story of LABAN |website=philstar.com|access-date=2018-07-25}} During the campaign and presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the Laban sign fell into disuse within PDP–Laban and was replaced with a clenched fist, a gesture popularized by Duterte. The clenched fist was later included in the party's current logo.{{cite web|url=http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/148843/hand-signs|title=Hand signs|website=cebudailynews.inquirer.net|date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2018}}

Current party officials

As of September 2024:

Candidates for Philippine general elections

= 2016 =

{{main|2016 Philippine presidential election}}

== Presidential ticket ==

  • Rodrigo Duterte for president (formally announced candidacy on November 21, 2015 and officially filed Certificate of Candidacy on November 27 and December 8)WON
  • Martin Diño{{cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/10/27/Rodrigo-Rody-Duterte-Martin-Dino-2016-elections-PDP-Laban-president.html|title=PDP-Laban decision final: Duterte to substitute if Diño withdraws presidential bid|publisher=CNN Philippines|access-date=October 27, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124142/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/10/27/Rodrigo-Rody-Duterte-Martin-Dino-2016-elections-PDP-Laban-president.html|url-status=dead}}{{Efn|Diño earlier stated that should he withdraw his intention to run for president, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be his substitute.}} (filed his candidacy on October 16, 2015, withdrawn on October 29)
  • Alan Peter Cayetano for vice president{{Efn|Guest candidate; a member of the Nacionalista Party}}

= 2019 =

== Senatorial candidates ==

= 2022 =

The party under Cusi wing endorsed and supported the candidacies of Bongbong Marcos for president and Sara Duterte for vice president. Senator Ronald dela Rosa filed the candidacy as the party’s official candidate for the presidential race but later withdrawn.

== Senatorial candidates ==

=== Cusi faction ===

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:100%;"

! colspan="2" |Candidate

!Party

!Position

!Elected

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Robin Padilla

|PDPLBN

|Actor

|Yes

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Salvador "Sal Panalo" Panelo

|PDPLBN

|Chief Presidential Legal Counsel

|No

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

| *Rodante Marcoleta {{smaller|(later withdrawn)}}

|PDPLBN

|Representative of SAGIP Partylist

|

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Rey Langit

|PDPLBN

|Broadcast Journalist

|No

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Astra Pimentel

|PDPLBN

|Executive Director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas

|No

style="background:{{party color|Aksyon Demokratiko}}" |

|John Castriciones

|Aksyon

|Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform

|No

style="background:{{party color|Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan}}" |

|Greco Belgica

|PDDS

|Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission

|No

=== Pacquiao faction ===

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:100%;"

! colspan="2" |Candidate

!Party

!Position

!Elected

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Lutgardo Barbo

|PDPLBN

|Secretary to the Senate

|No

= 2025 =

== Senatorial candidates ==

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:100%;"

! colspan="2" |Candidate

!Party

!Previous Government/Political Position

!Profession / Occupation

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Jimmy Bondoc

|PDP

|Member of Board of Directors of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
(2021–2022)

|Lawyer, singer

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Ronald dela Rosa

|PDP

|Senator
(2019–present)

|Police officer (retired)

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Bong Go

|PDP

|Senator
(2019–present)

|Politician

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Jesus "Jayvee" Hinlo Jr.

|PDP

|Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission
(2021–2022)

|Lawyer

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Raul Lambino

|PDP

|Chief Executive Officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
(2017–2022)

|Lawyer

style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}}" |

|Rodante Marcoleta

|Independent

|Member of the House of Representatives from SAGIP Partylist
(2016–present)

|Lawyer

style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}}" |

|Richard Mata

|Independent

|None

|Pediatrician

style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}}" |

|Apollo Quiboloy

|Independent

|Spiritual adviser to Rodrigo Duterte during his presidency

|Pastor

style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}}" |

|Vic Rodriguez

|Independent

|Executive Secretary
(2022)

|Lawyer

style="background:{{party color|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}}" |

|Phillip Salvador

|PDP

|Actor|None

|Actor

Electoral performance

=Presidential elections=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

!Year

!Candidate

!Votes

! %

!Result

!Outcome

1986

| align="left" |Corazon Aquino (UNIDO)

|9,291,716

|46.10|| {{No result|Disputed}}

| align="left" |Corazon Aquino (UNIDO) assumed presidency

1992

| align="left" |None; Pimentel's running mate was Jovito Salonga (Liberal Party)

|2,302,123

|3.40|10.16

| {{Lost}}

| align="left" |Fidel V. Ramos (Lakas–NUCD) won

1998

| colspan="3" align="left" |None

| {{n/a}}

| align="left" |Joseph Estrada (LAMMP) won

2004

| colspan="3" align="left" |None

| {{n/a}}

| align="left" |Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas–CMD) won

2010

| align="left" |None; Binay's running mate was Joseph Estrada (PMP)

|9,487,837

|26.25

| {{Lost}}

| align="left" |Benigno Aquino III (Liberal) won

2016

| align="left" |Rodrigo Duterte

|16,601,997

|39.01

| {{won|Won}}

| align="left" |Rodrigo Duterte won

rowspan="2" |2022

| colspan="3" align="left" |None; endorsed Bongbong Marcos (PFP){{Efn|Marcos and Duterte were endorsed by the Duterte-Cusi wing, while Pacquiao and Atienza ran under the Pimentel wing.|name=2022wing}}

| {{n/a}}

| rowspan="2" align="left" |Bongbong Marcos (PFP) won

align="left" |Manny Pacquiao (PROMDI){{Efn|name=2022wing}}

|3,663,113

|6.81

|{{Lost}}

= Vice presidential elections =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

!Year

!Candidate

!Votes

! %

!Result

!Outcome

1986

| align="left" |None; Aquino's running mate was Salvador Laurel (UNIDO)

|9,173,105

|45.85

| {{No result|Disputed}}

| align="left" |Salvador Laurel (UNIDO) assumed vice presidency

1992

| align="left" |Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

|2,023,289

|9.91

| {{Lost}}

| align="left" |Joseph Estrada (NPC) won

1998

| colspan="3" align="left" |None

| {{Lost}}

| align="left" |Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas–NUCD–UMDP) won

2004

| colspan="3" align="left" |None

| {{n/a}}

| align="left" |Noli de Castro (Independent) won

2010

| align="left" |Jejomar Binay

|14,645,574

|41.65

| {{won|Won}}

| align="left" |Jejomar Binay won

2016

| align="left" |None; Duterte's running mate was Alan Peter Cayetano (Independent)

|5,903,379

|14.38

| {{Lost}}

| align="left" |Leni Robredo won

rowspan="2" |2022

| colspan="3" align="left" |None; endorsed Sara Duterte (Lakas–CMD){{Efn|name=2022wing}}

| {{n/a}}

| rowspan="2" align="left" |Sara Duterte (Lakas–CMD) won

align="left"|None; Pacquiao's running mate was Lito Atienza (PROMDI){{Efn|name=2022wing}}

|270,381

|0.52

|{{Lost}}

=Legislative elections=

== Batasang Pambansa ==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
Year

!Votes

! %

! Seats

!+/–

!Result

1984

|1,344,607

|2.27

| {{Composition bar|6|197|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|N/A

|{{Lost|Minority}}

== Congress ==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

!House elections

!Seats won

!+/–

!Result

!President

!Senate elections

!Seats won

!Seats after

!+/–

!Result

1987

|{{Composition bar|43|200|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 37

|{{Won|Majority}}

| style="background:{{party color|PDP–Laban}}"|Corazon Aquino

!1987

|Participated under Lakas ng Bayan

|{{composition bar|3|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|N/A

| {{Won|Majority}}

1992

| colspan="2" |Participated under Koalisyong Pambansa

|{{Lost|Minority}}

| rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Lakas–CMD}}|Fidel Ramos

!1992

|Participated under Koalisyong Pambansa

|{{composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 2

| {{Lost}}

1995

|{{Composition bar|1|204|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|N/A

|{{Lost|Minority}}

!1995

|{{Composition bar|0|12|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{Composition bar|0|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 1

| {{Lost}}

1998

|{{Composition bar|0|258|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 1

|{{Lost}}

| style="background:{{party color|Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino}}"|Joseph Estrada

!1998

|{{Composition bar|1|12|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 1

| {{Won|Majority}}

2001

|{{Composition bar|1|256|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 1

|{{Lost|Minority}}

| rowspan="3" style="background:{{party color|Lakas–CMD}}|Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

!2001

|{{Composition bar|1|13|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{composition bar|2|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 1

| {{Lost|Minority}}

2004

|{{Composition bar|2|261|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 1

|{{Lost|Minority}}

!2004

|Participated under Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino

|{{composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 1

| {{Lost|Minority}}

2007

|{{Composition bar|5|270|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 3

|{{Lost|Minority}}

!2007

|{{Composition bar|0|12|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{steady}}

| {{Lost|Minority}}

2010

|{{Composition bar|2|286|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 3

|{{Lost|Minority}}

| rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Liberal Party (Philippines)}}|Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III

!2010

|{{Composition bar|0|12|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{Composition bar|0|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 1

| {{Lost}}

2013

|{{Composition bar|0|292|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 1

|{{Lost}}

!2013

|{{Composition bar|1|12|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{composition bar|1|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 1

| {{Won|Majority}}

2016

|{{Composition bar|3|297|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 3

|{{Won|Majority}}

| rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|PDP–Laban}}|Rodrigo Duterte

!2016

|Did not participate

|{{composition bar|2|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{steady}}

|{{Won|Majority}}

2019

|{{Composition bar|82|304|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 79

|{{Won|Majority}}

!2019

|{{Composition bar|4|12|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{composition bar|5|24|hex={{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{increase}} 3

|{{Won|Majority}}

2022

|{{Composition bar|66|304|{{party color|PDP–Laban}}}}

|{{decrease}} 22

|{{Won|Majority}}

| rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}|Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

!2022

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2025

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!2025

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| {{TBA}}

Notes

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See also

References

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=Bibliography=

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  • {{cite book |last1=Nemenzo |first1=Francisco Jr. |author1-link=Francisco Nemenzo Jr. |editor1-last=May |editor1-first=R. J. |editor2-last=Nemenzo |editor2-first=Francisco Jr. |title=The Philippines After Marcos |date=1985 |publisher=Croom Helm, Ltd. |location=Beckenham, England |isbn=978-0709935612 |pages=45–69 |chapter=The Left and the Traditional Opposition}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Teehankee |first1=Julio C. |author1-link=Julio C. Teehankee |editor1-last=Croissant |editor1-first=Aurel |editor2-last=Bruns |editor2-first=Gabriele |editor3-last=John |editor3-first=Marei |title=Electoral Politics in Southeast and East Asia |date=2002 |publisher=Friedrich Ebert Stiftung |location=Singapore |isbn=981-04-6020-1 |pages=149–202 |url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/01361006.pdf |access-date=October 1, 2021 |chapter=Electoral Politics in the Philippines}}

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