Palace sees 'balimbing' season

MANILA, Philippines - For Malacañang, the season of "balimbings" or political turncoats has come.

After at least 200 local officials formally joined the National People's Coalition (NPC) on Friday, the Palace admitted that politicians usually change allegiance before major elections.

"If you look at the history of every major election that we've had, you will always see shifts in the landscape of your political parties," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing.

Local officials from different political parties moved to the NPC this morning following Sen. Grace Poe's declaration of her presidential bid.

Poe is the frontrunner in the latest presidential surveys. The NPC is supporting the senator and her running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero.

Malacañang refused to comment when asked about the impact of the surge in the number of officials transferring to the NPC and supporting Poe.

"Let's discuss it when the dust settles," Valte said.

The Palace official, however, did not express worry that the administration's allies are joining a different party.

"'Yung thrust kasi ng Pangulo, 'yung hindi na personality politics ‘yung isusog natin kailangan plataporma 'yung pinag-uusapan natin," Valte said.

"What is important for the President and his chosen candidate is that they continue to argue and to discuss based on programs, policies, et cetera at kung bakit dapat ituloy," she added.