THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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AUG 17 P6'07 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by'Senator Richard J. Gordon 
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~ The,purpose of'a political party is to serve as a democratic tool by ac%g as a 
mectianism',. to' offer the , electorate ' options in , the I ideological composition of their 
government. These parties are the stable of political leaders from which the electorate 
maki their choices of the representatives who would make public decisions that 
embddies their best interests. Hence, it is a vehicle for voter enfranchisement, civic 
educ,htion and strengthened organizational movement on the choice of leaders and 
government :, 
I These, intended objectives of'a political party have been subverted by rampant 
parti-switching in the Philippine political system. This practice is so rampant that 
switqhing party allegiance is already taken for granted., In effect, party-switching has 
contiibuted to the stuntirig of the political maturity of the Philippine electorate, and 
encduraged transactional leadership instead of transformational leadership. It has 
encduraged the cult of personality in the electorate's choice of elected officials, and 
limit&d the relevance of the party platform to occupying a government post. This 
unfobunate system has resulted to the non-continuity of government plans, programs 
and projects which eventually redounds to disadvantages for the Filipino people. 
1 As'such, this proposed legislation seeks to enhance the quality of our democratic 
instiiutions,,by punishing political turncoats and opportunists who flit from one party to 
another depending on the ,dictates: of their selfish motives. This bill also seeks to 
sanotion : politicians who serve !as i "Trojan horses" by regularly voting against the 
coll&tive,: stand of the party, without necessarily switching party affiliations as these 
political opportunists are as guilty as the turncoats themselves, by insidiously subverting 
the strength of the stand of their own party. 
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: The proponent strongly believes that punishing turncoatism would bring about 
greater stability into the Philippine political system because it would ensure that 
membership in political parties, will be relatively permanent, and the electorate can 
expect, if not exact, strict compliance from government officials in terms of the promises 
and'platforms upon which their political party is grounded. 
! , In view of the foregoing principles, this bill seeks to define and punish political 
turncoatism and political,opportunism., , '  / 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Affi 17 p6.08 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced 'by Senator l3ichard.J. Gordon 
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,' ,AN ACT" 
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DEFINING"AND PUNISHING POLITICAL TURNCOATS AND OPPORTUNISTS 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of tbe Philippines 
SECTION, 
1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to promote strong, platform-based political parties, ,thereby strengthening the party 
system in,the country. 
Sec. 2. 
Political Turncoats and Opportunists. - Any member of a political 
party who changes political patty affiliation any time after being chosen, in accordance 
with ,party procedures, on the'ticket of that party shall be considered a political turncoat 
and shall be 
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 subject to the penalties 
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 provided in this Act. 
A political party may decide, 
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 in accordance with its constitution and by-laws, that 
a member:',who regularly votes'with another'political pahy is a political opportunist and 
shall be subject to the, penalties provided in this Act. 
This;',section shall not apply to any member who commits acts which would 
otherwise 'make him a political turncoat or opportunist, when by reason of his or her 
religious, ideological, or moral training and belief, has a sincere and conscientious 
objection to the change in p,arty direction or evolving ideology of his political party, and 
such objection is not borne out of 
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wdimsy, convenience, or caprice. 
Sec: 3. 
Penalties ,for political; turncoats and opportunists. - A political 
turncoat shall: 
a) Be prohibited from assuming office, if he ch,anges party affiliation during the 
b) '.Forfeit his office,' ifithe~elected public officer"changes political party affiliation 
' c) .. Be disqualified from, running for'any elective position in the next succeeding 
i election'immediately following the act of changing political party affiliation; 
d) ,'Be disqualified from being appointed or from holding any position in any 
'public or government office for three (3) years after the expiration of hidher 
current term; 
in Congress assembled: 
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~ e) Be disqualified from assuming' any executive or administrative position in 
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, -his/her,new'political party; and ' 
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: 9 ,'',Refund any and all 'amounts received 'from hidher political party, plus a 
~ A political opportunist so considered by his political party in accordance with its 
constitution and by-laws shall, not be entitled to any of the benefits given to party 
members and may be expelled'by his political party. He may also be required to refund 
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twenty five percent (25%) surcharge thereof, 
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all amounts received from the political party. 
Petition for Disqualification. - Any citizen of voting age, or any 
 candidate,'^ political party, aggrupation or ' coalition, may file with the Commission on 
Elections, I upon the filing of the certificate of candidacy and before proclamation, a 
petitibn to'disqualify a candidate on the ground of political turncoatism as defined in this 
Act. 
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Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Commission on 
Elections shall ,promulgate the 'Implementing Rules of this Act. 
Such Rules shall be 
effekve fineen (15) days from their publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and,,regulations 
or other ,'issuances, or parts' thereof inconsistent with: the' provisions of, this Act are 
Separability, Ciause. -~ 
If any portion or provision of this Act is 
decldred 'unconstitutional, the :remainder) of this Act or any provisions not affected 
therdby shall remain in force and effect: 
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Effectivity: -This Act skall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication'either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines. , , 
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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