Funding political parties

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Should the public fund with taxpayers’ money political parties for the use of politicians running for public office?

           

This is the question often raised by pundits who say enough is enough with bad politics and the money better be put to good use.

           

A bill seeking state funding for political parties, however,  isnow facing imminent passage in the Senate.

           

More than two-thirds of the senators have favored the proposed Political Party Development Act, which was sponsored on the floor by Sen. Edgardo Angara before the upper chamber adjourned on May 7.

           

Angara sponsored the measure contained in Committee Report No. 164, which bears the signatures of 17 of the 23-member chamber.

           

Most of the signatories, however, have reserved the right to “interpellate and amend” the bill during the period of debates and amendments.

           

Floor debate will commence in July when the chamber returns for its third regular session.          

           

Senators Gregorio Honasan, Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Francis Pangilinanearlier underscored the importance of public financing of political parties.

           

Both Honasan and Pimentel, however, called foe spending cap.

           

Angara co-authored the proposed measure with Sen. Jingoy Estrada under Senate Bill No. 3214, which seeks to institutionalize a strong party system throughout the country and promote transparency in campaign financing.

           

The measure, which has been pending in three Congresses, seeks to establish a Party Development Fund to support accredited political parties for their party development and campaign expenditures.

           

It also aims to penalize political turncoats-elected officials who switch party affiliations after being elected on a certain ticket.

           

Angara explained in his sponsorship speech that the country’s political party system was “seriously flawed” because its existence hinged on “moneyed personalities-the people who can finance campaigns and help pay for the party.”

           

This, he said, prompt the mass exodus of politicians and other candidates toward the winning or ruling party because “the largesse and patronage are there.”

           

Angara called for deep reforms in the political party system in the light of renewed trust in public officials following the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

           

Angara, who has served as a senator for over two decades, said: “Our politics remains very bad, breeding poor governance and corruption that stifles the delivery of public services. This is because the structure of our politics, especially of our political party system, is flawed.”

           

On the spending cap, Pimentel said: “If the state can afford it, why not? And we can always limit the total amount given in subsidy to what the state can afford at any given time.”

           

Would the bill be a boon or a bane? The Senate interpellations could shed light on the issue.