Asilo, Mon Reih Galang, Ryan Limqueco, Jenevieve Puerto, Khenett Razon, Zean

Analytical Essay March 13, 2013

Defections in Political Parties and Immature Electorates Political parties are indispensible to a democratic society. One of the primary functions of political parties is to nominate candidates for public office. They are source of political and national leaders. The nomination process is a significant one in electoral procedure because normally voters can vote only from among candidates who have been formally nominated. Hence, in effect it limits the choices of candidates for public positions. On the part of the candidates, such process is very important due to the benefits derived from it, including financial and machinery support. Given their inevitable role in a democratic society, it is a must to establish strong political parties in the country. Political Parties play crucial roles in shaping government policies and national issues. They provide a repository of ideals, devoid of personal interests that may prove useful in local and national governance. Strong political parties can promote clearer choices to voters and help to structure political competition toward the realization of generalized rather than particularistic interests. But that is not evident in the country; there is absence of party loyalty that deprives the country of vital public institutions. At present, elections and political parties are personality-centered. Political parties are not recognized by the principles but programs they pursue. The 1992,1998 and 2004 elections were indications that the number of political parties that join an election is determined by the number of popular candidates and not the other way around. Politicians who failed to win leave their groups and formed another groups to further desires. Some of these politicians were Fidel Ramos, Panfilo Lacson and Renato De Villa who left their parties when they lost in nominations for presidency. The ordinary voter has come to accept the proliferation of political butterflies as a justifiable act of political survival in a system. Table 1 DEFECTIONS DURING THE 12TH CONGRESS ORIGINAL PARTIES (11TH CONGRESS) LAMMP LDP LAKAS Reporma Independent LAMMP NUMBER DEFECTORS 24 1 1 1 1 15 OF NEW PARTIES (12TH CONGRESS) NPC TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFECTORS 28

LAKAS

16

LDP LAMMP LAMMP LAMMP LAKAS LAMMP TOTAL

1 14 2 2 1 1

LDP PROMDI LP Independent

14 2 3 1 64

It must be pointed out that there are 64 defectors, 58 came from LAMMP party. It can be recalled that President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, head of the LAMMP Party, faced an impeachment and was ousted. Table 2 DEFECTIONS DURING THE 13TH CONGRESS ORIGINAL PARTIES (13TH CONGRESS) LDP Reporma Promdi NPC PDP LP NPC Independent LDP PDSP LAKAS NUCD LDP Independent LAKAS LP LDP Independent LAKAS LDP Reporma Lakas Independent TOTAL NUMBER DEFECTORS 3 2 2 2 1 1 4 3 2 1 4 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OF NEW PARTIES (13TH CONGRESS) LAKAS TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFECTORS 11

KAMPI

10

LP

NP

NPC PDSP LDP PMP

2 1 1 1 40

From this table, it can be deduced that the problem of party-switching is not unique to one political party. All political parties are susceptible to the problem. The ruling party was the most common destination for politicians who changed political parties, having obtained 21 to 40 defectors. It is a possibility that one of their reasons has something to do with the benefits that come with being aligned with the ruling party. Banlaoi and Carlos concluded that: First, it is evident that the political parties formed were, for most parts, leader centered. Second, political parties differed little in their party platforms and programs. Third, the constant shifting of political party membership may be significant to the fact that political parties up to the present have not been able to link political life of its rank and file to their membership in their respective political parties. And the fourth, rampant political turncoatism demonstrates that the party whip is weak in Philippine setting. Roilo Golez, Juan Ponce Enrile and Loren Legarda are some of the political oppurtunists. Roilo Golez was a party member of political parties which number is equal to the number of elections from which he was a candidate. He is now with the opposition led by Joseph Estrada whom Golez fought during the 2001 impeachment trial. Juan Ponce Enrile run and won in the senatorial elections under GAD Party in 1987, Lakas NUCD-UMDP/LDP/LP in 1995 and Partido ng Masang Pilipino/Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino in 2004. The ease with which Loren Legarda joined the opposition headed by Joseph Estrada but soon turned against the party in the impeachment trial. Her justification in doing so is that it is based on moral grounds, that the administration, having turned evil she fought against in EDSA II. One is tempted to ask why, instead of running independently, she chose to run with the very evil she fought during the impeachment trial. The practice of elective officials of transferring from their original parties to the ruling party is brought about by the unjustified expectations of the electorates. It is their belief that as public officials, regardless of position, these politicians should address their constituents needs . For example, a congressman, whose main duty is to make amend or repeal laws, is expected to build roads, bridges or school buildings. His performance is judged by the number of construction projects during his tenure in office. Hence, most of these politicians are forced to transfer to the ruling party to avail of these government projects. In a way expectations of voters add up to the creation of political butterflies. The character of Filipino voters was revealed in the studies made by the institute for Political and Electoral Reforms in 1995 and 2003. These findings are summarized: Table 4 The Voters Choice: A Psychographic Study on Voting Behavior of the Filipino Electorate

1995 Study First Factor: Popularity Second factor: Endorsement of traditional network and organization Third Factor: Characteristics that benefit the voter Fourth Factor: Party Program

2003 Study First Factor: The Benefit Factor Second Factor: Political Machinery Third Factor: Popularity Fourth Factor: Endorsement of traditional and network organization

Analyzing these data, it is evident how self-centered voters are. They consider their personal gain in choosing a candidate to elect. Personal relationship between a candidate and a voter is more favored than broader social concerns. Therefore, accountability is personal relationship-centered. Personal benefit gained by voters is shown by acceptance of money that candidates offer. This indicates the limited concern of the electorate with the governance and policies that would affect them which obviously, they do not give consideration as they elect officials. Philippines is still practicing tradition political behaviors. Politicians shifts party and the people supports them expecting benefits from one another. Long term goals for development and reform are set aside. This affects the nation as a whole that is why an imperative action is needed to insulate politicians from self-centered demands. They need to be exposed to more productive environment to marginalize their personal interests. The character of political campaigns, election meetings and miting de advances mirrors the state of the Philippine electoral system. Electorates go to these meetings not to hear the ideologies and platforms of government, but to see famous personalities and see them sing or dance. Even national and local candidates engage in these gimmickries. This work strongly believes that these activities must be banned from election campaigns. It is high time for ideology, party reforms and national issues to influence electoral campaigns. References: Banloi, R., & Carlos, C. (1996). Political parties in the Philippines from 1900 to present. Makati, Philippines: Konrad Aden. http://www.congress.gov.ph http://www.senate.gov.ph