Subsidizing political parties / Newsman Laurence Balonglong writes 30

BEHIND  THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Moves by the Senate and House of Representatives to subsidize political parties has created a ripple effect on discussions of their viability and whether this could apply in this country where corruption in government is proving it could not be licked only by daang matuwid statements.

Pundits are saying if political parties would be subsidized, these would mushroom like Party-Lists and add more to burden of taxpayers while those in government are spending millions of their money on whim and caprice like there was no tomorrow.

Whether these proposals would add more to corruption or not, let us first hear it from proponents.

According to Sen. Edgardo Angara, the proposed government subsidy to political parties would strengthen the country’s party system and help make elections fairer and more equitable. 

Angara, chairman and president of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), said that government funding for political parties is a common feature in many countries with mature democracies like Canada, Germany, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“In 2008, the United States government allotted $16.3 million to its political parties, while the United Kingdom grants 2 million annually. The underlying principle there is that a country’s politics can be developed and made more equitable if the state supports political organizations with their campaigns and finances,” Angara said in a press statement.

He added that by acting as a neutral third party in this manner, the state provides baseline support to political parties and eases their need to turn to moneyed personalities for funding. 

Angara is one of the main proponents of the Political Party Development Act (PPDA) in the Senate, which among other things creates a State Subsidy Fund – amounting to P350 million – that accredited national political parties could use exclusively for campaign expenditures and routine operations like civic education, research and policy development, recruitment, and training for members.

“On one hand, the fund can be used to professionalize and enhance the operations of political parties. On the other, it empowers them to truly represent the interests of their constituents rather than remain beholden to private contributors,” said Angara, a former UP president. 

The proposed PPDA or Senate Bill 3214 seeks a subsidy that would be proportionately shared among accredited national parties based on three broad criteria: political representation; organizational strength and mobilization capability; and performance and track record of the party.

The Senate version of the measure provides that 10 percent of the total fund would be allotted to the Commission on Elections for monitoring purposes and the conduct of information dissemination and voters’ education activities. 

The remaining 90 percent will be distributed based on the number of seats the political party had obtained in the most recent general elections for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and local elective positions including those for governor, mayor and city or provincial legislative councils. 

The measure then mandates the Comelec to draft the law’s implementing rules and regulations, including the formula on how the State Subsidy Fund will be proportionately disbursed. 

“The bill also puts clear limits to voluntary contributions from natural persons and juridical persons like corporations. Parties will also have to furnish reports on campaign expenditures and activities to the Commission on Audit to further institutionalize transparency and accountability,” Angara said.

The PPDA provides that the share of the political party in the State Subsidy Fund will only be released upon proof that it has raised the equivalent amount of funds from membership dues and voluntary contributions.

“A rule like this puts more pressure on the party to keep their members loyal and active,” added Angara, noting that the PPDA also penalizes political turncoats.

“What we want is to redefine politics in the Philippines and address some of the trust issues between government officials and citizens. In a way, this state subsidy is just one of the ‘costs of democracy’ that we have to bear to enact real change.”

The Senate version of the PPDA is still pending on the committee level, while the House version has already been passed on third reading.

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Our condolence to the family of newsman Lawrence ‘Bannawe’Balonglong who passed away Wednesday. Laurence worked as announcer of Bombo Radio and anchorman of Mountain Cable. For a time, he also wrote a column for the Northern Philippine Times.

He was interred at the Baguio Memorial Chapel where media held a tribute for him Friday.

His friends and acquaintances would surely miss Lawrence who was always smiling and always put in  a good word for people. Godspeed my friend and till then.