Time to pass the proposed Political Party Development Act

This is in connection with the article of Joel Ruiz Butuyan, “The three political forces in 2028” (Flea Market of Ideas, 6/11/26), wherein he pointed out the lack of an heir apparent or the absence of a successor being groomed by the Marcos camp.

The successor to President Marcos after his term ends in 2028 would not be a problem had Congress enacted into law the proposed Political Party Development Act. The successor would come from the political party of the President, chosen through a party convention as envisioned in the proposed bill, which, among other provisions, seeks to strengthen the political party system by upholding party loyalty and adherence to ideological principles, platforms, and programs by penalizing turncoatism, and by professionalizing political parties through state subsidies.

While the 1987 Constitution provides for a six-year presidential term with no reelection, it fails to consider a presidential succession within the framework of a political party committed to a strategic direction that transcends a single presidential term and merits continuity through succession by a leader from the same political party who would sustain the good work of a good presidency.

Without a strong and principled political party system meant to build a class of political leaders at the top with a deep sense of mission, a strong commitment to achievement and national development, and moral integrity that inspires confidence and trust among the electorate, the next presidential election in 2028 will again be characterized by candidates with no defined ideological principles but with just-in-time platforms hastily improvised for personalities seeking election, making the transition from one president to the next every six years an occasion for uncertainties to rise as to what the direction or priorities of the next administration will be under the new president, who was not elected on the basis of a program of government guaranteed by a political party to ensure predictability in the transition from one administration to the next.

It is now high time for the honorable members of Congress to enact into law the proposed Political Party Development Act, which has been gathering dust since 2011, to force political parties to become real institutions in a functional democracy and to ensure continuity of long-term plans and programs during political transition in our electoral system of government.

ANTONIO DE GUZMAN,
reform48@protonmail.com