Prohibition Against Changing of Political Parties by Batasang Pambansa Members

January 26, 1980

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1667-A

PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF THE INTERIM BATASANG PAMBANSA FROM CHANGING POLITICAL PARTIES DURING THEIR TERM OF OFFICE

WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2 (6) of Article XII [c] of the Constitution, it is necessary to curb political malpractice, opportunism, guest or nuisance candidacy or other similar acts;

WHEREAS, Section 10, of Article XII (C) of the Constitution provides:

"Sec. 10. No elective public officer may change his political party affiliation during his term of office, and no candidate for any elective public office may change his political party affiliation within six months immediately preceding or following an election."

WHEREAS, to put into effect the provisions of the Constitution, members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa must maintain their political parties while in office.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

SECTION 1. No member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa shall change his political party during his term of office, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.

SECTION 2. Any member who changes political party during his term of office shall forfeit his seat in the Batasan for the remaining period of his term of office. cdt

SECTION 3. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 26th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 76 No. 21 Page 3093 on May 23, 1983.