QuestionsQuestions (PhilHealth Circular No. 003-2015)
To curb political malpractice, opportunism, guest or nuisance candidacies, and similar acts by ensuring members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa maintain their political party during their term of office.
Section 2(6) of Article XII (c) of the Constitution.
Section 10, Article XII (c): no elective public officer may change political party during his term, and no candidate may change within six months immediately preceding or following an election.
Members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa.
Changing political party during the member’s term of office, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.
Yes, only “except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.”
He shall forfeit his seat in the Batasan for the remaining period of his term.
It forfeits the seat “for the remaining period of his term of office,” indicating the penalty applies for the rest of the term.
It shall take effect immediately.
It is intended to implement the constitutional requirement for members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa by prohibiting them from changing political parties during their term.
No. PD 1667-A focuses on members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa and does not restate the six-month period for candidates.
While the decree is specifically about party switching, it is justified by broader concerns about political malpractice, opportunism, and guest/nuisance candidacies.
No elective public officer may change political party affiliation during his term of office.