The Democratic Party was a political party in the Philippines in 1953 to 1957. The party was not related to the Democratic Party of the United States, Democrata Party, and Democratic Party of the Philippines.
History Liberal Party members, led by Carlos P. Romulo quit the party after the failure of getting the nomination against the incumbent President Elpidio Quirino for the 1953 elections. Romulo and his men founded the Democratic Party, on May 29, 1953. Romulo was nominated by the party, with selection of incumbent Vice President Fernando Lopez as his running mate.
The party fielded candidates for the 1953 general election, however, its presidential candidate Romulo withdrew. After he withdrew, his running mate Lopez also withdrew to run in the Senate election instead. The two withdrew to support Ramon Magsaysay's candidacy. Lopez and Ruperto Kangleon both won in the senatorial election, with Lopez topping the race, placing second.
The Democrats would later merge into the Nacionalista Party.
Electoral performance The party participated in the 1953 and 1955 elections.
Presidential and vice presidential elections YearPresidential electionVice presidential electionCandidateVote shareResultCandidateVote shareResult1953NoneCarlos P. Romulo withdrew. Supported Ramon Magsaysay of Nacionalista Party.Ramon Magsaysay(Nacionalista)NoneFernando Lopez withdrewCarlos P. Garcia(Nacionalista)
Congress Senate election Votes % Senate seats+/– Senate Result House election Votes % House Seats+/– House Result 1953 3,793,654 15.4% 2 1953Two of the seats were from a common Nacionalista-Democratic ticket.342,889 8.4 11 Won; Joined the Majority Bloc 1955 Did not contest 1957 Did not contest 1957 42,890 0.9 11
Notes
Notable Members
Cabinet Level
Carlos P. Romulo, a presidential prospect in 1953, general, and a statesman
Senate
Fernando Lopez, topnotcher of the 1953 senatorial elections, former Vice President Ruperto Kangleon, last in the ranking of winners of the 1953 senatorial elections, a World War II hero
House of Representatives
Full Democratic members
Pedro G. Trono (Iloilo 1st) Ricardo Yap Ladrido (Iloilo 4th) Jose M. Aldeguer (Iloilo 5th) Ramon P. Mitra (Mountain Province 2nd) Jose Puey (Negros Occidental 2nd) Carlos Hilado (Negros Occidental 3rd) Conrado M. Morente (Oriental Mindoro At-large) Serafin Salvador (Rizal 2nd) Jose Roy (Tarlac 1st)
Partnered with Nacionalista
Ramon M. Durano (Cebu 1st) Domingo Veloso (Leyte 2nd)
References
External links
Further reading
Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library