Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon (left) discusses the need to strengthen the political party system in the Philippines and penalize political turncoats during a Senate hearing presided over by Senator Leila de Lima (right), chair of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Drilon said Senate Bill No. 226, which he authored, seeks to promote “party loyalty, discipline and adherence to ideological principles, platforms and programs.” He said that under the bill, political turncoats would be barred from running under any party for any elective position in the succeeding election after changing party affiliations. (PRIB Photo by Cesar Tomambo/ 25 January 2017)
