Manila, PHILIPPINES – Former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella and vice president Leni Robredo, who are both gunning for the presidency in the May 2022 elections, proposed the criminalization of political turncoatism as a way to develop and empower political parties in the country.
The proposal was made by both presidential candidates during the second round of presidential debates organized by the Commission on Elections, when asked about their comments about the weak political party system in the country.
“Mahalaga na walang turncoatism. It should not happen. It should be penalized,” Abella said.
Meanwhile, Robredo said that turncoatism weakens the political party system as candidates are not anymore focused on the ideologies of their parties.
“Agree ako na nakakasama iyong palipat-lipat ng partido. Nawi-weaken nito iyong ating political party system. Nakikita natin na iyong mga tumatakbo ngayon, hindi na tinitignan kung ano ang pinaglalaban ng partido nila. Parating political convenience nalang ang sinusunod,” the vice president explained
The vice president also added that political parties will not be empowered if turncoatism is allowed since parties can be conveniently disposed anytime.
“Kailangan magpasa tayo ng batas na nagbabawal nito kasi ito ang makakatulong sa pagpapalakas ng political parties natin. Mapipilitan ang mga pulitiko na sumali sa mga partido dahil sa mga prinsipyong pinaglalaban ng partido,” Robredo added.
As defined in Senate Bill No. 1633 filed by former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in 2007, political turncoatism is the change of political party affiliation furing an elective public officer’s term of office, or the change of political party affiliation by any party member within one year immediately preceding or following an election.
The former presidential spokesperson under the Duterte administration also emphasized that political parties should be issued-based instead of being personality-centered.
“Ang political parties po ay dapat issue-based at hindi personality-centered. Nagbibigay po sila ng panahon sa voters education at dapat aktibo sila during the entire year at hindi lang nagiging aktibo kung kalian may eleksyon.”
Abella also explained that political parties should clearly present their platforms to the people as it would help build a mature electorate.
To reform political parties in the Philippines, Robredo also proposed that the existing multi-party system in country should be looked into, whether it is still working.
Robredo also emphasized that electoral violations should be studied, as to why violators are not made accountable. TNF