House OKs bill punishing 'political butterflies'

The days of political chameleons and political butterflies in the country may be numbered after the House of Representatives passed a bill seeking to punish politicians who frequently change party affiliations. The chamber approved Tuesday night House Bill 6551 or the “Political Party Development Act of 2012.” Under the measure, politicians are considered to have committed “political turncoatism” if they change party affiliations, except within six months prior to the end of their term. Politicians who will be found guilty of “turncoatism” will be stripped of their elective post, disqualified from running in the next elections, prohibited from being appointed to any government office for three years and will be directed to refund 25 percent of the amounts they received from their previous parties. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, one of the bill’s primary authors, said these administrative sanctions aim to stop politicians from constantly changing their political colors. “We really want to deter politicians from transferring from one party to another. We want them to stick to the ideologies of their parties. Hindi ‘yung pagkapanalo sa eleksyon, lilipat na sa party in power,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview. Other authors of the bill include Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez, Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Rep. Raymond Mendoza. State subsidy The approved measure also seeks to create a state subsidy that shall be used “to augment the operating funds of the accredited national political parties.” This means a portion of the national budget, sourced from Filipino taxpayers’ money, will be funneled to the funds of political parties accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Under the proposed legislation, the state subsidy fund may be used by political parties for recruitment, research, training of members, and for campaign purposes. The amount to be received by each political party from the state subsidy fund shall be determined by the number of seats it obtained at the Senate and at the House during the most recent elections. “This will make sure that qualified but poor candidates who belong to accredited political parties without resources will be supported by the government,” Rodriguez said. Asked if how the state subsidy fund will not be prone to abuse from partisan politicians, the lawmaker said, “We made sure that there is a proper procedure on the release and full accounting of the subsidy.” The Senate version of the bill is currently pending on second reading. Once both chambers of Congress pass the bill, a bicameral conference committee will be convened to reconcile the two versions of the measure. Once the bicameral committee approves the bill, it will be returned to the House and Senate for ratification. It will then be submitted to Malacañang for the signature of the President. — LBG, GMA News