[1] Former Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay was elected President of the Philippines, defeating Incumbent Elpidio Quirino in his run for a second full term.

After seven years of Liberal rule, the Nacionalista Party lacked a strong presidential candidate to end the regime.

He then proposed to endorse Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay, whose successful anti-insurgency and anti-communist initiatives had strained his relations with President Quirino and the LP.

Following the nomination, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Carlos P. Romulo and his men walked out of the LP convention and formed the Democratic Party.

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-Democratic coalition.