House and Senate Bills Definitions of Political Turncoatism

SB 2264 (by Sen. Santiago)

Political Turncoatism is
(A) change of political party affiliation during an elective public officer's term of office;
(B) change of political party affiliation by any party member within one year immediately
preceding or following an election.
A change in party affiliation shall not constitute political turncoatism if it is:
a) Arising out of the abolition, merger or coalition of political parties where the party
member is registered;
b) Due to expUlsion in Wliting of the party member from his political party
SB 1818 (by Sen. Estrada)
Political Turncoatism- refers to the change by any elective public officer of the political party
under which he was elected, in favor of another political party, from the time of his election
up to the last six (6) months prior to the expiration of his term of office. It shall also refer to
the change by a candidate of his political party affiliation following an election.
SB 3214 (by Sen. Angara and friends)
Political Turncoatism- refers to the change of political party affiliation by any candidate
within eight (8) months prior to the election, whether or not elected, from the time he was
first nominated; Provided that, the term shall not include any such change in party affiliation
before the effectivity of this Act; Provided further that, political turncoatism shall not apply in
any of the following instances:
i. Abolition, merger or coalition of political parties where a candidate is a registered member
thereof;
ii. Expulsion in writing, of the registered member from his /her political party; Provided, that
the cause for such does not constitute Political Opportunism. It includes political
opportunism or any act of a party member constituting disloyalty to the party, or regular
non-adherence to the party's ideological principles, platforms, and programs, as determined
by the party in accordance with its constitution and by-laws.
HB 6551 (by Rep. Rodriguez and friends)
Political Turncoatism- refers to the change of political party affiliation by an elected official
during one's term, except within six (6) months prior to the end of the term: Provided, that
political turncoatism shall not apply in any of the following instances:
(1) Abolition, merger or coalition of political parties where a candidate is a registered
membere thereof;
(2) Expulsion of the elected official in writing from one's political party; Provided, that the
cause for such does not constitute Political Opportunism. It includes political opportunism or
any act of a party member constituting disloyalty to the party, or regular non-adherence to
the party's ideological principles, platforms, and programs, as determined by the party in
accordance with its constitution and by-laws.