1953 Philippine presidential election
The Philippine presidential and vice presidential elections of 1953 were held on November 10, 1953. Incumbent President Elpidio Quirino lost his opportunity to get a second full term as President of the Philippines to former Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay. His running mate, Senator José Yulo, lost to Senator Carlos P. Garcia. Vice President Fernando Lopez did not run for re-election. This was the first time that an elected president did not come from the Senate.
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 Election results per province/city. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Summary
After seven years of Liberal rule, the Nacionalista Party laced a strong presidential candidate to end the regime.[1]
Nacionalista Party
Former President and then-Senator Jose P. Laurel initially had intentions to seek the NP's nomination for president in 1953 but announced he is spiritually tired. He then proposed to adopt Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay, whose successful anti-insurgency and anti-communist initiatives had strained his relations with President Quirino and the LP.
Senate President Camilo Osías sought the presidential nomination but ultimately lost to Magsaysay. Senator Carlos P. Garcia of Bohol was picked to be his running-mate.
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party renominated President Elpidio Quirino and former House Speaker and Liberal Party President José Yulo for president and vice-president respectively.
Following the nomination, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Carlos P. Romulo and his men walked out of the LP convention and formed the Democratic Party. The DP then nominated Romulo for the presidency and supported the re-election of Vice President Fernando Lopez.
What was supposed to be a three-way race was reduced to a battle between the ruling Liberals against the Nacionalistas after the DP withdrew in support of Magsaysay, resulting in the Nacionalista-Democrata-Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) coalition.
Results
President
Magsaysay carried most of the provinces except Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Abra in which Ilocos Sur is a bailiwick and home province of President Quirino.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Magsaysay | Nacionalista Party | 2,912,992 | 68.90 | |
| Elpidio Quirino | Liberal Party | 1,313,991 | 31.08 | |
| Gaudencio Bueno | Independent | 736 | 0.02 | |
| Total | 4,227,719 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 4,227,719 | 97.71 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 98,987 | 2.29 | ||
| Total votes | 4,326,706 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 5,603,231 | 77.22 | ||
| Source: Dieter Nohlen; Florian Grotz; Christof Hartmann; Graham Hassall; Soliman M. Santos. Elections in Asia and the Pacific: A Data Handbook: Volume II: South East Asia, East Asia, and the South Pacific. | ||||
Vice-President
Garcia also carried the provinces who voted for Magsaysay except for Isabela, Capiz and Sulu who voted for Yulo. The provinces who voted for President Quirino also voted for Yulo.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos P. Garcia | Nacionalista Party | 2,515,265 | 62.90 | |
| José Yulo | Liberal Party | 1,483,802 | 37.10 | |
| Total | 3,999,067 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 3,999,067 | 92.43 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 327,639 | 7.57 | ||
| Total votes | 4,326,706 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 5,603,231 | 77.22 | ||
| Source: Dieter Nohlen; Florian Grotz; Christof Hartmann; Graham Hassall; Soliman M. Santos. Elections in Asia and the Pacific: A Data Handbook: Volume II: South East Asia, East Asia, and the South Pacific. | ||||
See also
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References
- Philippine Electoral Almanac. The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. 2013. p. 28. Archived from the original on 2014-04-09.