Established on May 1, 1973, the PDSP played a leading role in the difficult task of establishing and expanding a progressive and democratic alternative to the Marcos dictatorship and to
Marxism-Leninism. It made an important contribution to the mass campaigns which eventually led to the
People Power revolution in 1986. The PDSP then helped much to consolidate the newly restored democracy, especially through education and mobilization among the small farmers and fisherfolk, workers, urban poor, women, youth, Bangsamoro, and the indigenous peoples of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The PDSP, mainly through its members in people's organizations and non-government organizations, has helped much to draft laws and government regulations, especially in relation to issues and concerns of farmers, fishermen, workers, urban poor, women, and other sectors of Philippine society. The Party was accredited by the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as a legitimate political party in 1990. In 1992, the party became a consultative member of the
Socialist International (SI). In 2019, the PDSP was granted full member status in the SI. Starting in 1996, the PDSP actively participated in the interfaith dialogues held between Christian and Muslim groups in the Philippines. These series of events led to the formation of the
Bishops Ulama Conference (BUC) with
Romeo Intengan, S.J. and Dr. Mahid M. Mutilan.
Beginnings • 1970: merger of
Hasik Kalayaan (headed by Mr. Norberto B. Gonzales) and
Kilusan ng mga Anak ng Kalayaan (headed by Dr. Romeo J. Intengan) • April 1971: ideological seminar: participants who remained in the group: Norberto Gonzales, Fernando Gonzales, Antonio Asper, Gregorio Nazarrea, Romeo J. Intengan • 7 July 1972:
Katipunan ng mga Demokratiko-Sosyalistang Pilipino (KDSP): Democratic Socialist orientation; Norberto Gonzales as Secretary General
Martial Law Years • 1977: foundation of
Katipunan ng Bayan para sa Kalayaan ( KABAKA ), bringing together moderate opposition to the Marcos regime;the PDSP was a leading part of this • early 1980: transfer of headquarters to Mindanao • December 1980: party leadership holds dialogues with the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) • May and June 1982: Malaysian government allows PDSP members to go home or into exile, under benign conditions; Chair Norberto Gonzales and Education Department Head Fr. Romeo J. Intengan make their way to Europe • August 1982: party leadership in exile establishes headquarters in Madrid, Spain, under the protection of fraternal party
Partido Socialista Obrero Español ( PSOE); contacts with the
Socialist International began; ties forged with the
Movement for a Free Philippines (MFP) and other democratic groups opposed to the Marcos regime • February 1986: PDSP plays a prominent part in the mobilization for
People Power I.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration • August 2000 to January 2001: the PDSP plays a major role in mobilizing groups supporting the impeachment of former President
Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the impeachment and walkout by members of the Philippine Senate results to the
Second EDSA Revolution. • PDSP enters the administration coalition, with party Chair Norberto Gonzales becoming Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns in 2001, and becoming National Security Adviser in 2005. • 27–29 December 2003: Special Congress of the PDSP, at Bay View Hotel, Manila; Norberto Gonzales re-elected Chair, Elizabeth Angsioco elected Vice-Chair, Timoteo Aranjuez elected General Secretary • January 2007: Atty. Ramel Muria becomes Acting General Secretary • 27 July 2007: Norberto Gonzales is appointed
Secretary of National Defense. PDSP Secretary-General, Danilo R. Yang, a human rights defender and Provincial Board Member in Laguna, was assassinated by alleged members of the
Communist Party of the Philippines–
New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in June 2009. In 2013 and 2014 the gunmen responsible for the assassination of Mr. Yang were arrested by the
Philippine National Police. The Party has strongly opposed the electoral participation of party list groups
Bayan Muna,
Anakpawis, and
Gabriela. The PDSP has issued statements that the armed struggle distorts the democratic process by extorting permit-to-campaign fees from candidates and bans campaigns of certain candidates in their areas of control. On September 30, 2021, PDSP Chairperson Norberto Gonzales expressed his willingness to run for President in the incoming
2022 presidential and local elections, reaffirming their views of elections as vehicles for change. == Party platform ==