The Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM; transl. "Party of the Laboring Masses") is a democratic socialist political party in the Philippines.[2] Created in 2009, it includes as its affiliate the labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and is Sanlakas' political party for purposes of contesting non-party-list elections. It is the umbrella group of various organizations such as Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO) and Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lungsod (KPML).

Partido Lakas ng Masa
PresidentLeody de Guzman
ChairmanSonny Melencio
Secretary-GeneralJulius Panday[1]
Founded2009
HeadquartersQuezon City
IdeologyDemocratic socialism
Political positionLeft-wing
National affiliationLaban ng Masa
ColorsBlue, red and black
Seats in the Senate
0 / 24
Seats in the House of Representatives
0 / 316
Party flag
Website
angmasa.org

The party fielded Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman as its candidate for the 2022 presidential elections.[1][3][4][5]

Political positions

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PLM protested Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip during the Gaza War; a party member remarked that the airstrikes were "Israel's 'Final Solution' to the Palestine people."[6] PLM remained neutral on the issue of postponing the 2011 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as a postponement only served to benefit the Liberal Party, while holding the elections would've only promoted the status quo. Instead, the party "supports the continuation of the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF and any group fighting for self-determination in Mindanao."[7] The party also disapproved of giving former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo any special treatment against her criminal cases.[8]

On the impeachment of Renato Corona, aside from agreeing that the Chief Justice should be impeached, the party said that members of the Supreme Court of the Philippines are to be selected democratically.[9]

As a democratic socialist party, PLM participates in the political processes of the state, insisting on elections as a legitimate and viable means of achieving socialism.[2] It opposes taking the extralegal route preferred and deemed necessary by Marxist–Leninist–Maoist national democrats.[10] In the 2013 general election, the party supported Ricardo Penson's independent candidacy to the 2013 Senate election,[11] as well as several candidates in local elections, including one candidate in the 2013 House of Representatives elections. For the 2022 general elections, the party fielded Ka Leody de Guzman for the Presidency, Walden Bello for the vice presidency, and Luke Espiritu, Roy Cabonegro, and David D'Angelo for the Senate.[1][12][13]

Radio program

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PLM produces the weekly radio program RADYO LAKAS NG MASA (Radio Program of the Labouring Masses) on Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 every Saturday from 9–10 AM.

Electoral performance

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For president

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Election Candidate Number of votes Share of votes Outcome of election
2010 Did not participate Did not participate
2016 Did not participate Did not participate
2022 Leody de Guzman 93,027 0.17% Lost

For vice president

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Election Candidate Number of votes Share of votes Outcome of election
2010 Did not participate Did not participate
2016 Did not participate Did not participate
2022 Walden Bello 100,827 0.19% Lost

Senate

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Election Candidate Number of votes Share of votes Seats won Seats after Outcome of election
2010 Did not participate
0 / 12
0 / 24
Did not participate
2013 Did not participate
0 / 12
0 / 24
Did not participate
2016 Did not participate
0 / 12
0 / 24
Did not participate
2019 Leody de Guzman 893,506 0.25%
0 / 12
0 / 24
Lost
2022 Roy Cabonegro
David D'Angelo
Luke Espiritu
5,063,147 1.16%
0 / 12
0 / 24
Lost
2025 Leody de Guzman
Luke Espiritu

House of Representatives

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Election District elections Share of votes Party-list election Share of votes Seats Outcome of election
2010 Did not participate
0 / 286
Did not participate
2013 10,196 0.04% Did not participate
0 / 293
Lost
2016 Did not participate
0 / 297
Did not participate
2019 Did not participate 28,824 0.10%
0 / 304
Lost
2022 5,223 0.01% 17,783 0.05%
0 / 316
Lost

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Labor leader Leody de Guzman files candidacy for president". Rappler. October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "'Bakit ikaw: Presidential Job Interview' ang labor leader na si Ka Leody de Guzman". The Manila Times. January 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Former Defense chief, 'Ka Leody' open bids for president too". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (September 28, 2021). "Labor leader Leody de Guzman to run for president in 2022 elections". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Labor group leader Leody De Guzman running for president in 2022". CNN Philippines. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Morelos, Miko L. (January 2, 2009). "RP Muslims protest Israeli air strikes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "An elitist, 'trapo' ARMM concern". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  8. ^ "Government won't oppose hospital arrest for Arroyo". Sun.Star Manila. November 21, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  9. ^ "Justices should be picked via democratic process". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 28, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  10. ^ Cohen, Miles (February 2, 2020). "Capitalism, Socialism, Communism and the Difference between Social Democracy and Democratic Socialism". Arcadia Political Review.
  11. ^ Aning, Jerome (March 3, 2013). "Ricardo Penson seeks to represent those left out". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  12. ^ "Ex-lawmaker Walden Bello throws hat into VP race". cnn. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  13. ^ Guillang, Michelle R. "Labor leader unveils senatorial lineup". Daily Tribune. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
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