*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope
Introduction
In the
often chaotic rhythm of Philippine politics, many people have become familiar
with shifting loyalties, recycled slogans, and sudden political alliances. What
we are less familiar with, however, are the deeper structures that shape those
changes. The words “merger,” “coalition,” and “alliance” are often tossed
around during interviews and campaign launches, yet most Filipinos are never
really told what they truly mean—or why it matters.
This lack
of clarity is more than just academic. It has real consequences. The Alyansa ng
Bagong Pilipinas (ABP)—a political movement that once inspired hope for genuine
reform—is a perfect example. Its collapse wasn’t simply because of external opposition but because of its own internal confusion, timing, and structural
flaws.
Thus, there
is a need to break down the differences among mergers, coalitions, and
alliances, and by reflecting on the rise and fall of ABP—what it promised, what
it failed to protect, and what future movements must learn.
Defining the Basics: Not All Political Agreements
Are the Same
Before
diving into the story of ABP, it’s important to understand the basic
differences between a party merger, a coalition, and an alliance. While they
may sound similar, each serves a different purpose in the political world.
A party
merger is the most formal and legally binding of the three. It’s when two or
more parties decide to dissolve themselves and form a completely new entity.
This involves shared leadership, shared ideology, and a brand-new identity. It
takes time, legal paperwork, and a serious commitment to unity (Dela Cruz,
2015).
A
coalition, on the other hand, is more of a practical arrangement. It usually
happens when different political parties decide to work together—often for
elections or legislative work—without giving up their individual identities.
Coalitions can be strong or fragile, depending on how clearly the rules are
defined (Torres, 2015).
An alliance
is the most informal. It’s usually built on mutual interests or convenience.
Unlike a coalition or a merger, alliances don’t always require documentation or
shared goals beyond short-term political advantage. They’re often
personality-driven and tend to dissolve as quickly as they form, if there is no
commonality of interest and shared vision.
In the
Philippines, these distinctions are often blurred. This was one of the key
problems ABP faced.
ABP: A Movement Born Out of Reform and Frustration
When the
2022 elections ushered in the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
and Vice President Sara Duterte, there was a sense of both optimism and
uncertainty. On one side, Marcos Jr.’s promise of a “Bagong Pilipinas” stirred
a desire for modernization and reform. On the other, many were anxious about
what would happen to the Duterte legacy, particularly in the areas of human
rights and governance.
It was
during this transitional moment that the Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas (ABP) was
born. ABP wasn’t a traditional political party. It was a broad movement of
professionals, youth leaders, civil society groups, and some former officials
who felt that real systemic change was still possible—if not through
traditional parties, then through a united reformist front.
Its
platform included ambitious goals: eradicating corruption, promoting
federalism, pushing for education reform, protecting the environment, and
reviving Filipino values. These goals were attractive to people tired of
political theatrics and dynastic control. But even with all its promise, ABP
failed to do the one thing that mattered most: define itself clearly.
The Identity Crisis: What Exactly Was ABP?
From the
beginning, ABP struggled with its own identity. Was it aiming to become a new
political party? Was it a coalition of groups working toward reform? Or was it
just a temporary alliance for the 2025 elections?
Different
leaders within ABP had different answers. Some pushed for registration as a
formal political party, complete with a constitution and membership rules.
Others feared that this would alienate existing allies from other parties and
insisted that ABP remain a loose coalition. Still others treated it as a
convenient platform to boost their public profiles ahead of the next elections.
Without a
unified answer, ABP became vulnerable. Local chapters sprung up without central
coordination. Public figures joined without ideological vetting. Traditional
politicians—many of whom had been part of the problem ABP was trying to
solve—started using the alliance to clean up their public image.
What was
once a hopeful movement slowly began to feel like just another political
vehicle.
The Political Earthquake: Impeachment and Arrest
While ABP
wrestled with its internal confusion, the Philippine political landscape was
rocked by events that no one had fully anticipated.
In late
2024, Vice President Sara Duterte faced serious impeachment complaints. She was
accused of misusing confidential funds and undermining her working relationship
with President Marcos Jr. These complaints gained traction, and by early 2025,
she became the first vice president in Philippine history to be impeached
(Bagayas, 2025; Thornton, 2025).
Around the
same time, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued and enforced an arrest
warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte. He was flown to The Hague to face
charges related to human rights violations during his administration’s
controversial war on drugs (ICC, 2025; HRW, 2025).
These
events shook the Duterte political camp to its core. Many of their longtime
allies were suddenly looking for a new political home—and some saw ABP as that
home.
This influx
of displaced political actors into ABP might have seemed like a victory. In
truth, it marked the beginning of the end. With no strong vetting process in
place, the movement was overwhelmed by personalities who had little interest in
its original ideals. Reformists either left or were pushed aside.
Lessons from ABP’s Collapse
So, what
really caused ABP to fall apart?
First, it
lacked clarity of purpose. Was it a merger, a coalition, or an alliance?
Without defining itself properly, it could not set boundaries or make strategic
decisions.
Second, it
had no internal structure. There was no governing body to enforce discipline or
to keep members accountable. This made it easy for opportunists to hijack the
platform.
Third, it
lacked ideological screening. Anyone could join, regardless of whether they
truly believed in the movement’s mission. This diluted its message and eroded
public trust.
If there’s
one painful truth the ABP experience teaches us, it’s this: good intentions are
not enough. In Philippine politics, if you’re not structurally prepared, you
will be swallowed by the very system you’re trying to reform.
Comparisons and Missed Opportunities
ABP’s
experience is not unique. Other movements have gone through similar cycles. The
Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K4) in 2004 worked as a
temporary coalition that successfully backed President Arroyo. It served its
purpose and dissolved afterward—no confusion there (Reyes, 2015).
The United
Nationalist Alliance (UNA) under Jejomar Binay had a more ambitious vision but
failed due to leadership clashes and weak party-building (Villanueva, 2015).
Had ABP
learned from these examples, it might have avoided many of its mistakes.
Reform Movements in a Dynasty-Driven System
The sad
reality is that reform movements like ABP operate in a system rigged against
them. Political dynasties still dominate local and national governance.
Research shows that family-based political power is not only surviving—it’s
growing (Acuna et al., 2024). These dynasties are skilled at adapting, forming
new alliances, and even co-opting reformist language when it suits them.
In such a
system, unstructured movements are easy prey. Without legal status, without
leadership training, without an ideology people can cling to, movements like
ABP become stepping stones for career politicians—not engines of change.
Worse, when
these movements fail, they leave behind a trail of disillusionment. People who
once believed in change become more cynical, thinking that maybe reform is
impossible after all.
Moving Forward: What Must Be Done
Despite its
collapse, ABP left behind valuable lessons for those who dare to dream of
political reform in the Philippines.
Movements
must be clear from the start about who they are and what they want to become.
They must establish internal rules and structures, no matter how inconvenient
or tedious that might seem. They must screen their members, protect their
identity, and never compromise on their values just for visibility.
They must
also communicate with the people consistently and transparently. The moment a
movement loses its moral clarity or looks like it’s just another political
brand, it begins to lose the trust of those who believed in it.
And above
all, they must remember: movements take time. ABP may have risen too
fast—relying on the momentum of the moment instead of building the muscles of
sustainability.
Conclusion
The story
of Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas is both a cautionary tale and a call to action.
It reminds us that while passion, slogans, and moral outrage can ignite a fire,
it is structure, vision, and discipline that will keep that fire burning.
As we move
toward another election cycle, many new groups will emerge. Some will be born
out of hope. Others will be manufactured out of political necessity. The
challenge for all of us—citizens, scholars, reformers—is to ask the hard
questions: Who are they? What do they stand for? Can they last?
Because if
we continue to chase reform without preparation, we will continue to see
movements like ABP rise and fall—leaving us, once again, with broken dreams and
unfinished revolutions.
References
Acuna, R.,
Alejandro, A., & Leung, R. (2024). The families that stay together: A
network analysis of dynastic power in Philippine politics. ArXiv Preprint.
Ayson, M.
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start for the new era of Marcos leadership. Asia Maior.
Bagayas, J.
P. P. (2025). Duterte’s impeachment and the spectacle of Philippine politics.
East Asia Forum.
Dela Cruz,
M. T. (2015). The dynamics of electoral coalitions in Philippine democracy.
Institute of Political and Electoral Studies.
Human
Rights Watch. (2024). Philippines: Duterte arrest a step forward for justice.
HRW News.
International
Criminal Court. (2025). Statement of the Office of the Prosecutor on the arrest
of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. ICC Press Release.
NCCP.
(2025). Statement on the Impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. National
Council of Churches in the Philippines.
Reyes, L.
B. (2015). Power and personality in Philippine elections. Visayas Social
Research Center.
Thornton,
S. (2025, May 28). Historic impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte shakes
Philippine politics. Broadsheet Asia.
Torres, J.
C. (2015). Temporary alliances, permanent problems: The risks of political
coalitions in weak democracies. Ateneo de Davao University Press.
Villanueva,
S. M. (2015). The rise and fall of opposition movements in Philippine politics.
Political Development Review.
Dr. Rodolfo “John” Ortiz Teope is a distinguished Filipino academic, public intellectual, and advocate for civic education and public safety, whose work spans local academies and international security circles. With a career rooted in teaching, research, policy, and public engagement, he bridges theory and practice by making meaningful contributions to academic discourse, civic education, and public policy. Dr. Teope is widely respected for his critical scholarship in education, management, economics, doctrine development, and public safety; his grassroots involvement in government and non-government organizations; his influential media presence promoting democratic values and civic consciousness; and his ethical leadership grounded in Filipino nationalism and public service. As a true public intellectual, he exemplifies how research, advocacy, governance, and education can work together in pursuit of the nation’s moral and civic mission
