Gringo Honasan (left), James Layug (MANILA BULLETIN, Knots Alforte's Facebook)

Former military officers belonging to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and Magdalo factions have banded together to form a new political party, the Reform PH Party. 

The party--officially launched Monday afternoon at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City--is led by former senator Gringo Honasan, its chairman; and former Philippine Navy captain, James Layug. 

Honasan and Layug were leaders of the RAM and Magdalo, respectively. As expected, the Reform PH Party leaned heavily on the ideals of its two root factions. 

"Ang mga pangunahing prinsipyong 'We Belong' at 'Unity through Reforms' mula sa RAM, kasama ang 'Our Dreams Shall Never Die' mula sa dating mga miyembro ng Magdalo, ay sumasalamin sa isang kolektibong pangarap para sa mas magandang kinabukasan ng bansang Pilipinas," Layug, also a former Department of Agriculture (DA) assistant secretary, said in a statement. 

(The main principles of 'We Belong' and 'Unity through Reforms' from RAM, and the 'Our Dreams Shall Never Die' ideal of former Magdalo members reflect the collective aspiration for a better tomorrow for the Philippines.) 

The party was launched some four months ahead of the filing of certificates of candidacies (COC) for aspirants in the May 2025 midterm elections. 

The party said it took a cue "from the ideals of every Filipino hero who has fought hard for this country". 

"The Reform Party is born out of a deep commitment to realizing a vision of a strong, equitable and prosperous Filipino Nation," read a joint statement from Honasan and Layug. 
(Reform PH Party)

"At the core of our mission lie the timeless principles of liberty, equity and prosperity for all. Drawing inspiration from the spirit of our forebears like Bonifacio, we pledge to champion social, political and economic reforms that will uplift every Filipino and foster a more just and inclusive society," they said. 

Also taking part in the launch was Mike Defensor, a former Anakalusugan Party-list congressman and chief-of-staff in Malacañang. 

Honasan and Layug says that their strategic focus "is on enacting policies that promote democratic governance, protect human rights, alleviate poverty and empower marginalized communities". 

"We are unwavering in our dedication to building a nation grounded in patriotic spirit, a nationalist economy and social balance. Our commitment to safeguarding national interests, promoting Filipino identity and fostering equitable development knows no bounds," they added.