Joining admin’s party for convenience
Why do politicians shift party allegiance? Is it because of party principles or because of their own personal and political agenda? In the country’s political setting, there is no such thing as party principles. Politicians shift party loyalty as often as they change their underwear. Political parties, like any legitimate organization, have their own constitution and by-laws and are officially and duly registered before the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the case of political parties, these are registered and accredited by the Commission on Elections.
They have laws that govern them. But talking of party principles, they have none. Too often in politics, political convenience is the road most often taken by politicians to protect their personal and political hidden agenda.
Our multi-party system is also one of the factors politicians can immediately shift party allegiance. Unlike in the United States where there are only two major political parties--Democrats and Republicans. Here, we have so many political parties. Politicians, especially those from breakaway groups, can create and organize their own party.
Last Friday’s mass oathtaking by majority of local politicians under the administration’s party--Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)--was no longer a surprise. It’s common for many politicians to join the administration party for a simple reason: political convenience. But for politicians concerned they won’t admit it. They are all hypocrites.
Some prominent politicians and patriarch of political clans interviewed during the oathtaking on why they joined the administration’s party claimed that they want to show support for the President’s programs. Their purpose is for unity and progress. You know, I have heard these lines before. Why? Was there no unity and progress during their previous party affiliation?
It is very advantageous to join the administration party. As the saying in Bisaya goes, “Asa tong kamay, toa maglinya ug mag-ambahan ang mga hulmigas ug atutud.” The sugar is the political party and the ants are the politicians. Local party affiliates can easily connect to the national government for projects and during election time, they can ask or expect funding from the national party.
Look at the political history in our country in the post-Edsa era. The multi-party system was encouraged in the 1987 Constitution. Then president Cory Aquino aided by the late house speaker Ramon Mitra organized the biggest and most dominant party--Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP)--which was used by Mitra for his presidential ambition. Then secretary of national defense Fidel Ramos joined the party’s national convention but lost to Mitra.
Ramos organized his ragtag political party, Lakas Tao, and won with a slight margin in 1992 in the presidential elections against Miriam Defensor-Santiago. During his incumbency, Ramos, aided by then house speaker Jose De Venecia, strengthened the party to what was then known as Lakas NUCD-UMD. De Venecia used the party for his political ambition in the 1998 presidential elections, but lost to Joseph Estrada.
During Erap’s time, he strengthened his Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) but unfortunately he did not finish his full six-year term. Then, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over. Arroyo ruled the country for nine years with her Kampi party with almost all politicians joining. Then, Benigno Aquino Jr. took over in 2010 with the Liberal Party as his political vehicle. Now, again, don’t be surprised if almost all our politicians will join the bandwagon for the Duterte’s administration. Matingala ta ug dili sila mamalhin.