Line of succession vital no matter who succeeds President–Palace

It doesn’t matter who succeeds the President in a federal form of government, as long as there is a line of succession, Malacañang said on Friday.

Newly appointed presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo noted that the move to restore Vice President Leni Robredo to the line of succession was not yet final as this would need the people’s approval.

“The amendments to the federal Constitution are all subject to the ratification of the people . . . [T]here will still be deliberations,” he said at a press briefing.

“What is important is that there should be a line of succession, regardless of who these people are,” Panelo said.

This is to avoid a power vacuum when there is no one to succeed the President during the transition period, he said.

He made the remarks after the House of Representatives restored Robredo to the line of succession to the presidency during the transition to the federal system. —JULIE M. AURELIO