THE BILL penalizing political turncoatism to strengthen the political party system in the country has hurdled two committees in the House of Representatives. The unnumbered Substitute Bill, or the “Political Party Development Act,” prohibits elected officials from switching parties one year before and after any national elections. “One of the highlights of this bill is the provision against political turncoatism… which is preventing one particular candidate, who ran under one party and after the elections, went to a different political party, which is at the helm. Within a specific period they are prohibited from transferring,” CIBAC Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna, chair of the suffrage and electoral reforms committee, said on Monday. Violators would be prevented from holding the elective office, disqualified from running for any elective post in the succeeding election and required to refund amounts received from the former political party with an additional 25% surcharge. The measure will also prohibit appointment in any public office for three years. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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