Honasan, ex-RAM, Magdalo soldiers form Reform PH party

Former Senator Gringo Honasan together with some members of the Magdalo soldiers and former members of the Reformed the Armed Forces Movement launched the Reform PH party on Monday, signaling the former senator's possible return to politics.

In a video uploaded by Cainta Journal on Facebook, Honasan and Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary James Layug led the announcement of the new party at Club Filipino in San Juan City.

“Those who sought reform in 1986 and 2003, nagsama-sama ngayon para itatag ang Reform PH party na nagsusulong ng bagong pulitika, katuwang ng boses ng masa, ipaglalaban ang interes ng bayan, babantayan ang kalikasan at maglilingkod ng tapat sa mamamayan,” Layug, one of the Magdalo soldiers involved in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny in protest of alleged corruption during the administration of former President Gloria Arroyo, said.

(The Reform PH party is pushing for a new brand of politics and we will amplify the voice of the people. We will fight for people’s interests, safeguard our environment, and serve the people with integrity.)

Layug then said that the Reform PH party is guided by the ideals of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio such as patriotic spirit, national economy, and social balance.

“Ang aming pulitika ay hindi nakatali sa salapi. Bagkus, ang aming pinapahalagahan ay ang malasakit sa kapwa,” Layug added.

(Our politics is not tied to money. Rather, what we value is concern for others.)

Honasan figured in the 1986 People Power Revolution, but later also took part in two coup d'etat against the administration of Corazon Aquino, which replaced the Marcos Sr. regime.

He served as a senator for four terms, and last served in the government as the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology under the Duterte administration.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

Honasan, however, lost his 2022 Senate bid.