“It’s about time that we pass a measure that will institutionalize and strengthen political parties as pillars of the country’s democratic system,” Drilon said in a statement.
He said it is imperative that the country’s political party system be strengthened in order to achieve genuine political development and democracy.
Drilon said there have been many attempts to reform the orientation of political parties “to veer away from the concept of traditional politics.”
“Such attempts remain unsuccessful because of lack of legal institutional framework to govern system of political parties,” he said.
Drilon’s Senate Bill 226 or the proposed Political Party System Act aims to promote party loyalty, discipline and adherence to ideological principles, platforms and programs.
Most political aspirants change political parties for convenience, rather than out of conviction.
This shows the lack of ideological commitment of party members because their choices are based on the “rise and fall of the tide of opportunity.”
The measure seeks to penalize political turncoats by disallowing them to run under any party for any elective position in the next election after changing party affiliation.
It also requires them to refund any and all amounts they received from the party, plus a 25 percent surcharge.
“Political parties in our country are normally used as vehicles to win an election. Political party system is centered on personalities rather than ideology and political platform,” Drilon said.
If enacted into law, a state subsidy fund will be established to augment the campaign expenditures and party development expenses.
The funds can be used to augment the operating expenses of the accredited political parties for their development, including administration and recruitment, research and policy development, and education and training of members.
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read more: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/07/18/1604020/drilon-wants-turncoats-penalized
