People's Reform Party

History

Formation and 1992 elections: ''Kay Miriam Kami!''

In April 12, 1991, the party was founded by former Immigration Commissioner and Agrarian Reform Secretary Miriam Defensor Santiago. As Santiago being known for cleaning the immigration bureau against corruption, she is then being considered as preferred presidential candidate to win. In the party convention for the 1992 elections, she berated her opponents who throwing black propaganda (like of nicknaming her Brenda for brain damage due to her rants), and belittlement on her, with choosing former Congressman and Ramon Magsaysay's son Jun. Also, tandem of former NBI director Alfredo Lim and former Housing Agency administrator Lito Atienza joined PRP for their 1992 elections in Manila for its mayoral and vice mayoral positions.Her campaign was known for gathering the vote of the youth, with campaigning and speaking in the universities, with presenting herself as the reformist one. At first, she gathered at least 40% to 50% survey ratings, but in those times where the election day is near, she have a tight race with Lakas nominee and former Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos, who have been endorsed by then-incumbent President Corazon Aquino.

In the first days of counting votes, Santiago leading the race, with being the topnotcher in all cities and municipalities in Metro Manila. But after incident of power outages, Ramos lead the counting, and eventually won the elections. Santiago used that incident as an evidence for filing an electoral protest. Various media personnel became witnesses to the fraud made in the election, where the phrase, 'Miriam won in the election, but lost in the counting' became popular. However, her protest was eventually dismissed by the Supreme Court. But in local elections, Lim and Atienza secured their victory in Manila.

1995 elections: Drafting with NPC

For the 1995 Senate elections, Santiago joined the opposition Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) led by then-Senate President Ernesto Maceda. Santiago snatched victory, placing 6th. In the local elections, Lim and Atienza together with some city council candidates who joined PRP won the elections in Manila.

1998 elections: Running again for presidency

In 1998 elections, Santiago launched her second run for presidency, with selection of Kit Tatad as her running-mate, but both of them lost to then-popular Vice President Joseph Estrada and Senator Gloria Arroyo.

2001 elections: Pwersa ng Masa

For the 2001 Senate election, Santiago and PRP joined the opposition and Pro-Estrada Pwersa ng Masa. After the arrest of Estrada in April, she challenged critics that she would jump off from a plane without a parachute if Estrada is arrested for plunder. People Power Coalition's (PPC) left-wing partners such as Akbayan and KOMPIL II, blasted the statement, and challenged her to fulfill the challenge, and the other one like being gunned down if 13-0 is achieved, and berated PPC's acronym as Puro Palpak Coalition. Even though got the endorsement of a religious sect, she lost the election 15th.

2004 elections: Joining K-4

In 2004 elections, Santiago and the PRP joined President Arroyo's K-4 coalition, and successfully got a senate seat placing 7th.

2010 elections: Coalition with Nacionalista

For the 2010 elections, Miriam supported Nacionalista Senator Manny Villar's presidential candidacy, and joined his slate as a guest candidate. PRP also a guest coalition member of Lakas–Kampi and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino on the senatorial election. She won placing 3rd. She did not vote for Senate presidency election between her former Pwersa ng Masa colleague Juan Ponce Enrile and Nacionalista Alan Peter Cayetano.

Also, her nephew Mike Defensor ran under PRP banner in the Quezon City mayoralty race but lost the polls. Arthur Defensor, Sr. ran for the governorship of Iloilo and won the polls, who also caucuses with the Nacionalista and Lakas–Kampi.

2016 elections: ''Si Miriam ang Sagot''

Main article: Miriam Defensor Santiago 2016 presidential campaign

On October 13, 2015, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago announced her intention to run for president in the 2016 elections. She also announced she picked her Senate colleague Bongbong Marcos as her running mate for vice president. Some people criticized the move, as when Santiago is still a RTC judge, she berated her running-mate's father before about human rights abuses and bailed some activists like movie director Lino Brocka. Both Defensor and Marcos lost the election.

Miriam Defensor Santiago's death and 2019 elections

Santiago died September 29, 2016, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig from lung cancer. Though the party exists for the political career of Santiago, it agreed through Santiago's widow, Narciso Jr. to nominate Harry Roque as candidate for the Philippine Senate. Roque's nomination was arranged through the auspices of Davao City mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. The nomination of Roque sparked wide criticism, garnering massive backlash notably from stern supporters of the late senator and PRP founder Santiago. Various organizations called Roque a 'user' and was 'destroying the image' of PRP and the late Santiago. Additionally, Roque's already low public appeal degraded further from 8.7% in March 2018 into 8% in October 2018.

2022 elections

The PRP, now under Narciso Jr., announced support for Sara Duterte's potential presidential run and renewed their ties with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) for the 2022 elections. Former Lakas presidential nominee Gilbert Teodoro and Roque are tapped in to be their senatorial candidates.

2025 elections

For the 2025 elections, PRP endorsed SAGIP Partylist congressman Rodante Marcoleta's senate campaign, who also affiliated with DuterTen.

Electoral candidates

1992 General Election

Main article: 1992 Philippine general election

These are the following members who ran under the People's Reform Party for the following positions:

• Presidential Election
  • President: Miriam Defensor Santiago
  • Vice President: Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.
• Senatorial Election
  • Fortunato Abat
  • Cris Abasolo
  • Carlos Cajelo
  • Dominico Casas
  • Jose Cordova
  • Dante de Guzman
  • Renato Ecarma
  • Melchor Ines
  • Antonio Leviste
  • Abdullah Abe Madale
  • Jaime Muyargas
  • Antonio Policarpio
  • Mario Reyes
  • Blue Rivera
  • Efren Sumajit
  • Albert Umali
• Local Election: The following politicians won under the People's Reform Party during the 1992 general elections in the Philippines:
  • Manila
    • Mayor: Alfredo Lim
    • Vice Mayor: Lito Atienza
  • Baguio City
    • Mayor: Mauricio Domogan
  • Caloocan
    • Mayor: Rey Malonzo
    • Vice Mayor:
  • San Mateo, Rizal
    • Mayor: Jose Peping Diaz
    • Vice Mayor: Ike Rodriguez
    • Councilor: Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope

1995 General Election

Main article: 1995 Philippine general election

The following run under the banner of People's Reform Party in the 1995 election:

• Senatorial Election

1. Miriam Defensor Santiago (won, joined NPC coalition)
2. Herman Tiu Laurel (lost)
3. Brigido Simon (withdrew and slide to run for Mayor of Quezon City)

• Congressional Election

1. Reynaldo Calalay - First District, Quezon City
2. Leopoldo San Buenaventura - Camarines Sur
3. Narciso Monfort - Iloilo
4. Prospero Nograles - Davao City
5. Dabs Abdullah Mangotara - Lanao del Norte

• Board Members
• Albay
  • Andres Serrano
• Biliran
  • Romulo Bernardes
• Local Election
• Manila
  • Mayor: Alfredo Lim
  • Vice Mayor: Lito Atienza
  • Councilors:

1. Banzai Nieva
2. Berting Ocampo
3. Toting Cailian
4. Erning Dionisio
5. Nesto Ponce
6. Bert Basco
7. Marlon Lacson
8. Joe Lopez
9. Pete de Jesus
10. Nilo Roces
11. Vic Melendez
12. Rino Tolentino
13. Paz Herrera
14. Edward Maceda
15. Rudy Bacani
16. Joey Hizon
17. Felix Espiritu
18. Rogie dela Paz
19. Kim Atienza
20. Roger Gernale
21. Ging Logarta
22. Lou Veloso
23. Joy Dawis
24. Butch Belgica

• Catbalogan City
  • Mayor: Jess Redaja
• Padre Garcia, Batangas
  • Mayor: Victor Reyes
• Mandaluyong
  • Vice Mayor: Ernesto Domingo
• Biñan, Laguna
  • Vice Mayor: Alexis Desuasido
• Sta. Rosa, Laguna
  • Vice Mayor: Jose Catindig
• Baguio City
  • Councilors:

1. Elmo Nevada
2. Edilberto Claraval
3. Richard Carino
4. Rolando dela Cruz
5. Lilia Yaranon

• Bamban, Tarlac
  • Councilors:

1. Ricarte Rivera

• Norzagaray, Bulacan
  • Councilors:

1. Mario Villegas

1998 General Election

Candidates

• Presidential Election
  • President: Miriam Defensor Santiago
  • Vice President: Francisco Tatad
• Senatorial Election (none)

2001 General Election

Main article: 2001 Philippine general election

• Senatorial Election The leader Miriam Defensor Santiago and her PRP joined the Puwersa ng Masa coalition of the opposition ticket under deposed President Joseph Estrada.

2004 General Election

Main article: 2004 Philippine general election

• Senatorial Election The leader Miriam Defensor Santiago and her PRP joined the K-4 coalition of the administration ticket under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

2010 General Election

Main article: 2010 Philippine general election

• Senatorial Election

2016 General Election

Main article: 2016 Philippine general election

Candidates

• Presidential Election
  • President: Miriam Defensor Santiago (Lost)
  • Vice President: Bongbong Marcos (Lost)
• Senatorial Election
  • Greco Belgica (Lost)
  • Martin Romualdez (Lost)
  • Dionisio Santiago (Lost)
  • Francis Tolentino (Lost)
• *Local Election - Pasay *
  • City Councilor - District 2: Ramon Yabut (Lost)

2019 General Election

The following run under the banner of People's Reform Party in the 2019 election:

• Congressional Election

1. Maricel Natividad-Nagaño - Fourth District, Nueva Ecija (won)

2022 General Election

The following run under the Banner of PRP for 2022 elections:

• Senatorial Slate

1. Harry Roque - Former Presidential Spokesperson (Lost)
2. Gilberto Teodoro - Former Secretary of National Defense (Lost)

Electoral performance

Presidential and vice presidential elections

Legislative elections

Notes

Party leadership history

Notable party members

1. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago
2. Sec. Esperanza Cabral (DOH)
3. Mike Defensor
4. Arthur Defensor, Sr.
5. Harry Roque
6. Gilbert Teodoro
7. Oscar Albayalde

References

References

1. [https://asiaelects.com/philippines/ Philippines] Asia Elects
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3. "The Loudest of Them All".
4. (May 24, 1992). "Mayoralty race at a glance". Kamahalan Publishing Corporation.
5. One News PH. (2022-08-04). "Remembering FVR: 'Steady Eddie'".
6. Great Leaders. (2015-10-26). "Part 2 - Miriam Defensor Santiago Presidential Speech 1992 Elections".
7. Pinugu, Eleanor. (2025-05-12). "Strength of losing well".
8. Shenon, Philip. "Aquino Endorses Ex-Army Chief in Vote".
9. Servando, Kristine F.. "Miriam: I was cheated, but didn't call for people power". ABS-CBN News.
10. Wolfgang, Sachsenroeder. (2018-05-30). "Power Broking In The Shade: Party Finances And Money Politics In Southeast Asia". World Scientific.
11. One News PH. (2022-08-04). "Remembering FVR: 1992 elections vs Miriam Defensor-Santiago".
12. Maragay, Fei. (May 5, 1995). "Maceda conceded defeat – Ramos".
13. (1995-05-18). "Manila poll winners finally proclaimed". Kamahalan Publishing Corporation.
14. (1995-05-09). "Lopez to seek disqualification of Mayor Lim". Kamahalan Publishing Corporation.
15. Gonzales, Yuji Vincent. (2015-10-16). "‘Third time’s the charm,’ says Miriam of presidential bid".
16. Samonte, Severino. (May 18, 2022). "‘98, ‘22 general elections had 10 presidential candidates each". [[Philippine News Agency]].
17. (April 26, 2001). "Miriam urged: Go ahead, jump".
18. "Miriam - The Correspondents (Senatorial Campaign) April 2001 (part 3/5)".
19. Diaz, Jess. (June 8, 2001). "11th Congress ends; leaders bid farewell".
20. Villanueva, Marichu A.. (January 7, 2004). "Arroyo defends her K-4 lineup".
21. Dedace, Sophia. (May 16, 2010). "Villar likely to become Senate President again, says Miriam". GMANews.tv.
22. Avendaño, Christine. (July 25, 2010). "Enrile is Senate President again". newsinfo.inquirer.net.
23. Bartolome, Jessica. (13 October 2015). "Miriam announces presidential run in 2016".
24. [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/15/15/miriam-confirms-bongbong-her-vp Miriam confirms Bongbong] abs-cbnnews.com {{Webarchive. link. (2015-11-18)
25. (17 October 2018). "Roque gets Miriam Santiago's party nod, thanks to Sara Duterte".
26. (15 October 2018). "Harry Roque drops Senate bid to run for party-list rep".
27. "Social Weather Stations | SWS survey on senatorial preferences reported in Philippine Star (10/11/2018) was sponsored by Sec. Francis Tolentino". Sws.org.ph.
28. Sarao, Zacarian. (July 7, 2021). "Miriam Defensor-Santiago's PRP backs Sara Duterte's potential presidential run".
29. (October 22, 2021). "Bar topnotcher Gibo bids for Senate to revive Miriam legacy".
30. (2021-11-15). "Harry Roque files candidacy for senator in Eleksyon 2022".
31. (2025-04-22). "PRP: Marcoleta reflects Miriam Defensor Santiago’s principles".
32. (April 23, 2025). "PRP urges support for Marcoleta’s Senate bid".