Filtered By: Topstories
News

Robredo: Electoral reform needed to get rid of political turncoatism


Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said that an electoral reform law is needed to prohibit political turncoatism or some elective officials' behavior of being "balimbing," which she called a mockery of the very essence of the political party system.

"Dapat sana dine-develop natin iyong isang framework kung saan iyong mga political parties, ang pinaglalabanan mga paniniwala. Sa atin, walang ganoon, kasi wala tayong prohibition against political turncoatism, so nagiging convenience lahat, political convenience lahat iyong consideration paglipat ng party," Robredo told reporters in Legazpi City.

She underscored that turncoatism does not bring about a strong government institution and mentioned that in other countries, like South Africa and Germany, this political behavior is sanctioned by the law.

"Ito, tinuturuan ng disiplina, pinipilit na hindi basta-basta iyong pagsali. Dahil mayroong ganitong regulation, iyong pagsasali sa political parties pag-iisipan na talaga," Robredo said.

The vice president stressed that some political parties in the Philippines are more "personality-oriented" than determined by principle.

"Hindi gaya ngayon, kung nasaan iyong Pangulo, doon lahat. Kung ano iyong political party ng Pangulo, nandoon lahat. Hindi magandang practice siya kasi parang tino-tolerate natin na hindi prinsipyo iyong papairalin. Iyong sa atin, very personality-oriented," she said.

'Opposition coalition'

Asked whether the opposition coalition would have guest candidates since it only lined up eight senatorial bets, Robredo said the matter is still being discussed.

"Actually, marami din iyong sumusulong within the party na gawin siyang 12. Pero isa ako doon sa nakipaglaban na walo lang, kasi gusto talagang... parang to send a strong message na hindi popularity iyong magiging basehan sa pagpili sa eleksyon na ito... na kahit against all odds, iyong pagkatao saka paniniwala pa din iyong dapat na magandang batayan," she said.

The coalition presented its slate of senatorial aspirants last week, including former Senator Mar Roxas, former Quezon Representative Erin Tañada, Maranao advocate Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, incumbent Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, and former Solicitor-General Florin Hilbay.

Robredo, chairperson of the Liberal Party, added that the opposition coalition will mobilize volunteers for the upcoming midterm elections to augment its manpower and resources.

"Walang pera iyong partido to support its candidates. Iyong mga kandidato mismo, walang pera, except for a few. Iyong sa atin, iyong na-inspire nga kami, kasi first 24 hours na nag-call for volunteers, more than a thousand kaagad iyong nag-sign up," she said.

"Iyong gusto nating subukan ngayon, parang people’s campaign, na iyong tao, hindi iyong pulitiko, ang magdadala ng kapanalunan ng kandidato," Robredo added. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT