Political Turncoatism

Introduction To be a party to an organization is to be identified to that organization and renunciation of the other party. However, in the Philippine case politicians freely and gracefully shift from one party to another, the other changed his mind and do the same. Party- switching had been a common scenario in the Philippine politics. Its occurrence is usually at election times or at times when there is a need to resolve a certain conflict involving a political issue or question and during times of revolutions and People Power. True enough the party system of the country seems to resemble chameleons of politicians going from one party to another.
On several occasions when there is a need of choosing a stand, no contemporary party in the country had solidly put a stance. Member politicians usually pursue what they had in mind and in compromising with the other members of his own party and with that party unwilling to take his side, he resorts to switching parties.
There will always be a surprise during times of People Power where a number of personalities from the other party join the other for their support of their grievances and stance.
The recent division of the lower house regarding whether to impeach or not to impeach Gloria Macapagal Arroyo easily shows the different flaws in the Philippine Party System. Each party did not vote as a party but individually.
In times of elections, one party will attack the other by attacking the personality of a member of the opponents and not that of the programs or criticism of the platforms set forth. During these times, propaganda against a politician is always a common scenario. The Philippine Political system seems to be a game of personalities.
What does this mirror in the political and socio-cultural facet of the country? Could these liabilities be solved? What are the roots of this personal politics, weak party-system and turncoatism? These and other related subjects will be the focus of the study. We will try

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