GLIMPSES & GAZES...
from 1935 to 1969: Manuel L. Quezon (Tayabas)-Sergio S. Osmena (Cebu); Manuel A. Roxas (Capiz)-Elpidio R. Quirino (Ilocos Sur); Quirino (Ilocos Sur)-Fernando H. Lopez (Iloilo); Ramon F. Magsaysay (Zambales)-Carlos P. Garcia (Bohol); Garcia (Bohol)-Diosdado P. Macapagal (Pampanga); Macapagal (Pampanga)--Emmanuel N. Pelaez (Misamis Oriental); and Ferdinand E. Marcos (Ilocos Norte)Fernando H. Lopez (Iloilo).
What was more, the 1935 Constitution never encouraged nor allowed too many nuisance candidates, although there were sometimes the likes of a certain Pascual Racuyal and Valentin Delos Santos then.
In June 1971, a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) was held to draft a new charter to replace the 1935 Constitution. The new charter became effective in January 1973. One of the nicest provisions of that charter was the prevention of political turncoatism or party-switching by a candidate a few months before an election.
Section 10, Article XII (The Constitutional Commissions) of the 1973 Charters stated: "No elective public officer may change his political party affiliation during his term of office, and no candidate for any elective office may change his political party affiliation within six months immediately preceding or following an election."
On the other hand, the 1987 Charter promulgated after the so-called People Power Revolution of February 1986 provided for a free and open party system to evolve according to the choice of the people.
Aside from this multi-party provision, the existing constitution also established the party-list system of elections where registered national, regional, and sectoral parties, and organizations can participate
If the proposed charter change finally pushes through, whether by a constituent assembly, a constitutional convention, or a people's initiative, I would like to suggest to the delegates that the provisions on the free and open political party system as well as the party-list system of elections be excluded from the draft charter to be submitted to the people in a nationwide plebiscite.