Puwersa ng Masa
Puwersa ng Masa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | PnM |
| Leader | Loi Ejercito |
| Senate Leader | Edgardo Angara |
| Spokesman | Juanito Remulla[1] |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Dissolved | 2001 |
| Preceded by | Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino |
| Succeeded by | Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino |
| Coalition members | PMP LDP PRP |
| Colors | Orange, Blue |
Puwersa ng Masa (PnM,[2] Force of the Masses,[3] also known as LDP–Pwersa ng Masa)[4] was the Philippine opposition's political multi-party electoral alliance in the May 14, 2001, midterm Legislative elections. The coalition was created after the EDSA Revolution of 2001 that ousted Joseph Estrada from the presidency on January 20.
The coalition was led by former First Lady Loi Estrada who successfully ran for a Senate seat. The coalition featured candidates from the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and the Partido ng Masang Pilipino, and Miriam Defensor Santiago's People's Reform Party, as well as independent candidates.
Platforms
Puwersa campaigned that the senators should be elected by region, as said by Ed Angara and Juan Ponce Enrile.[5]
While campaigning in March, Puwersa advocated for women and children's rights via legislation.[6]
In April, its candidate from Mindanao Ombra Tamano advocated for Christian-Muslim unity and lasting peace in Mindanao, and being against secessionist groups, and for federalism that can solve the island's long standing problem.[7] He also campaign for the country's shift to parliamentary government.[5]
After the loss of Tamano, he said that the loss of a candidate for Senate from Mindanao make the island underrepresented in the upper legislative chamber.[8]
Harassment
Media
Senatorial candidates Dong Puno and Ed Angara received harassment from anti-Estrada media.[4]
Attack ads
PPC's 13-0 movement bombed the television with ads attacking each candidates of Puwersa ng Masa. Later, it was pulled out because of complaint by a foreign media respondent. The respondent said that the 13-0 movement did not gained their permission to use their media in the attack ads. Later, PPC used flyers and posters to promote the ads.[9] Also, Puwersa camp filed charges against PPC camp.[10]
Arrest
In May, days before election day, Senator Enrile, one of its candidates is arrested for rebellion charges.[11] While former PNP Chief Panfilo Lacson facing his pending case, and Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan is hiding due to filed charges against him.[12]
The senatorial slate
| Name | Party | Occupation | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgardo Angara | LDP | Former Executive Secretary, former Senator and 1998 LAMMP vice presidential nominee (lost to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) | 
|
| Reuben Canoy | LDP | Former mayor of Cagayan de Oro | 
|
| Noli de Castro | Independent | Journalist and TV and radio personality |
|
| Miriam Defensor Santiago | PRP | Senator, 1992 and 1998 PRP presidential nominee (lost to Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada respectively) |
|
| Juan Ponce Enrile | LDP | Senator and 1998 independent presidential candidate (lost to Joseph Estrada), former Defense Secretary |
|
| Loi Ejercito | Independent | Medical doctor and former First Lady of the Philippines |
|
| Gregorio Honasan | Independent | Senator, former Army officer |
|
| Panfilo Lacson | LDP | Former Chief of the Philippine National Police |
|
| Jamby Madrigal | LDP | Former Presidential Adviser on Children's Affairs and Undersecretary of Social Welfare and Development |
|
| Orly Mercado | Independent | Former Secretary of National Defense and former Senator |
|
| Dong Puno | LDP | Lawyer, journalist, TV and radio personality and former Press Secretary and government spokesman |
|
| Nina Rasul | Independent | Former Senator |
|
| Ombra Tamano | LDP | Medical doctor |
|
Election results
Four out of 13 candidates won the possible 13 seats in the Senate. These are, in order of votes received:
The other candidate was only elected to serve the remaining unexpired term of Tito Guingona.
Criticism
Namesake
Mail.com reader Joe dela Cruz says of the senatorial ticket put together by Estrada should be called as Perwisyo ng Masa, (Nuisance of the Masses).[13]
Jump in a plane challenge
After the arrest of Estrada in April, Defensor Santiago challenged critics that she would jump off from a plane without a parachute if Estrada is arrested for plunder. PPC allies such as Akbayan and KOMPIL II, berated her statement, and challenged her to fulfill the challenge, and the other one like being gunned down if 13-0 is achieved.[14]
Lack of finances
Lakas of PPC berated the opposition coalition for not having enough cash, but Pwersa berated the former for having 'trapo tactics'.[1]
See also
- People Power Coalition, Puwersa ng Masa's rival coalition
- Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino, the predecessor coalition of Puwersa ng Masa
- Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the successor coalition of Puwersa ng Masa
References
- ^ a b Danao, Efren (March 15, 2001). "NPC to junk 5 Senate bets from opposition". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ "The top story on May 16, 2001 was "PPC leads PnM in 10 regions"". Facebook. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ Day, Alan John (2005). Political Parties of the World. John Harper. p. 378. ISBN 978-0-9536278-7-5. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Danao, Efren (April 28, 2001). "LDP bets rap harassment of media men". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
- ^ a b "Closer look at proposed regional election of senators sought". Philstar.com. March 31, 2001. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
- ^ "LDP-PnM elevated rights of women, kids on top of its agenda". Philstar.com. March 2, 2001. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
- ^ "Electorate asked to show Christian-Muslim concern". Philstar.com. April 16, 2001. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
- ^ "Mindanao nanganganib na mawalan ng". Philstar.com. May 20, 2001. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
- ^ "'Attack ads' vs Puwersa pulled out". Philstar.com. May 10, 2001. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ "Puwersa to file complaint vs PPC over ads". Philstar.com. May 9, 2001. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ Porcalla, Delon (May 2, 2001). "Enrile first to be arrested". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ Danao, Efren (May 6, 2001). "LDP proceeds with campaign despite arrest of Senate bets". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ Pascual, Federico D. (February 15, 2001). "POSTSCRIPT: Despite EDSA reforms, GMA uses showbiz icons". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ "Miriam urged: Go ahead, jump". Philstar.com. April 26, 2001. Retrieved 2025-04-17.