TURNCOATISM

It simply means, a change of loyalty. Prevalent among politicians. For convenience, expediency or perhaps, as a matter of principles. The transfer of affiliation with one political party to the other is common, and definitely practiced heavily in the Philippines. In the past, particularly in a 2-party system such as during the 60's where we have primarily the candidates from the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party as contenders in elective positions, it is a matter of honor that one remains loyal to a political party. Sticking it out with a political party means you are a principled politician and your affiliation reflects your belief on the strength of the political party itself. A sudden change of affiliation could have adverse implications on the reputation of a politician, or on several instances, beneficial as when the former President Ferdinand Marcos left the Liberal Party and became a Nacionalista. The rest is history.

It may be recalled that Section 10, Article XII, C, of the then 1973 Constitution of the Philippines, in relation to Section 4, Pambansa Blg. 52 and Presidential Decree No. 1661, as amended, turncoatism was outlawed, at least 6 months prior to an election. This was opposed, criticized and condemned for it curtails the right of a person to association and to adhere to his political beliefs. This prohibition was of course removed by the Freedom and subsequently the 1987 Constitution.

Now, they are making attempts to revive it. The reason is simple, the system, our political way of life, is being adversely affected and true enough, we are now bombarded with politicians changing affiliations, obviously, for the other reasons previously cited.

We cannot imagine a politician whom we voted for, and expecting to represent us on the basis of the principles of the political party to which he belongs when elected would suddenly change loyalty to a new political party whose principles may be directly opposed to the previous one. Some says, not to vote for that politician anymore. Well, easier said than done. We know that once a politician is elected, it will be difficult to unseat him, if only due to political party affiliation. Our culture is not that highly politicized to really care about the difference. We do not easily subscribe to change. We always adhere to the status quo, being our comfort level. 

But come to think of it, now that our country has adopted a multi-party system, coalitions are "in". There can be indirect turncoatism and thereby circumvent the notion of disloyalty. Now, it is rather confusing indeed.

Bottolime, people. Convenience and expediency. These are the reasons for turncoatism. Principles? duh . . .