7/29/2019 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Political Party Development Bill

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Political Party DevelopmentWhat are Political Parties and their role in Democracy?Political Parties are democratic institutions where citizen

participation in governance is encouraged and promoted.

They are groups/organizations composed of members that

hare the same ideologies/ principles on how the state

hould be governed.

Political parties also act as a transmission belt of information

o and from its constituents. It also becomes the training

round of leaders and party workers, the embodiment of thespirations of its constituency, and the organizational

machinery for electoral campaigns and governance.

Political Parties play a crucial role in a democracy to veer

way from personality politics but rather stress on issues and

political platforms.

What are the issues that the Political Party

Development Bill try to address?

Promote and institutionalize platform-based politics that

epresents the will of the people.

Widening and democratizing the party constituency.

Strengthening party loyalty and discipline.

Ensuring a level playing field among contesting candidates

nd parties.

Regulating campaign financing and by promoting

ransparency.

Who is an Accredited National Political Party?The Senate Version states that Accredited NATIONAL Political

Party refers to a Political Party qualified to receive subsidy

or party development and campaign purposes, accredited

or this purpose by the Commission based on a set of criteria

provided under this act.

The House Version states that Accredited Political Party,

efers to a Political Party qualified to receive subsidy for

party development and campaign purposes, accredited for

his purpose by the Commission based on a set of criteria

provided under this act.

Who is a Political Turncoat?The Senate version of the Bill defines POLITICAL

TURNCOATISM as the act of changing party affiliation by any

andidate WITHIN (8) EIGHT MONTHS PRIOR TO THE

LECTION.

Meanwhile, the House version defines POLITICAL

TURNCOATISM the act of changing party affiliation by anlected official, during his/her term, EXCEPT WITHIN 6

MONTHS PRIOR TO THE END OF HIS/HER TERM

Why are party-lists not included in the definition of the

bill?The Party-list groups are constitutionally part of the

proportional representation mechanism at the House of

Representatives. As such, the party-lists, representing

sectoral groups, are governed by the party-list law.

Nonetheless, party-list groups are not restrained from

developing to become Political Parties.

How will the proposed measure deter political

dynasties, electoral fraud, turncoatism?

The proposed measure is aimed at instituting fair and

democratic rules among political candidates and parties

How does party development impact on the lives of

ordinary Filipinos?

An institutionalized and democratic Political Party Systehelps attain genuine democratic good governance and

provide wider room for political participation among the

citizens.

Also, a government that is governed with genuine politi

parties that have clear platforms and ideologies can ens

implementation of long-term policies to address proble

concerning the economy, environment, society, culture

human rights.

State SubsidyWhat is the State Subsidy Fund?It refers to the fund which shall be used to augment the

operating funds of the Accredited Political Parties.

It shall be used directly and exclusively for the following

purposes only: (a) Party development; and (b) Campaign

expenditures.

Who are entitled/ qualified to State Subsidy?

The proposed measure has set the following Criteria for

Eligibility of political parties to receive from the Subsidy

the State Subsidy Fund:

1. Political Representation, consisting of the incumbentpresident, members of congress, governors, vice-govern

city-municipal mayors and vice-mayors;

2. Organizational strength and mobilization capability

3. Performance and track record of the party

Why do we need to subsidize Political Parties?The State Subsidy is meant to provide the minimum

resources for party building, leverage for auditing,

transparency, and accountability in the sourcing of

expenditures of party and campaign funds, and for

enhancing party authority and influence on their candid

and members.It would also enhance the capability of political parties t

research, educate, and advocate for their respective age

The strengthening of political parties can lead to their

maturation as a democratic institution.

In turn, this contributes in a major way to the maturatio

Philippine democracy and the institutionalization of

democratic political practices.

7/29/2019 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Political Party Development Bill

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