PRESS RELEASE

MANILA, Philippines, 19 January 2026 The Liberal Party of the Philippines marks its 80th year today, paying tribute to generations of Filipinos whose shared aspirations helped shape a sovereign nation and a democratic tradition.

Founded in 1946, the Liberal Party has stood through some of the country’s most defining chapters: the work of rebuilding after war, the long struggle for freedom, and the many moments that tested, and strained the country’s democratic institutions.

“Philippine democracy did not fall from the sky. It was built, and it can be broken,” LP acting president, Atty. Lorenzon “Erin” Tañada III said. “At a time when our democracy is fragile, when more people are losing trust in public institutions, and when insecurity and poverty are worsening in many forms, we choose to persist.”

The Party emphasized that it continues to fight for democratic tradition as this can be erased far more easily than it can ever be rebuilt.

“Tumitindi ang agresyon ng China sa West Philippine Sea, at nahaharap ang Pilipinas sa pinakamalaking iskandalo ng korapsyon. Sa kambal na isyung ito, lumalaban pa rin ang Partido Liberal ng Pilipinas, na nagdiriwang ng ika-walumpung anibersaryo ngayon, para sa soberenya at sa maayos na pamamahala (China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea is intensifying, and the Philippines is facing the biggest corruption scandal. In these twin issues, the Liberal Party of the Philippines, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary today, continues to fight for sovereignty and good governance),” said LP Chairman Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. 

The Party will hold its annual convention and anniversary celebration led by party leaders and stalwarts, hoping to spark the next generation of leaders and renew a call to build a free, inclusive, empowering, and transformative society.

“We have no illusions about how difficult this moment is,” Tañada added. “But our history binds us to this fight. We persist because democracy is not self-sustaining; it demands courage, participation, and sacrifice.”