Palace sees ‘wisdom’ in Lacson’s ‘designated survivor’ bill

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — While there is a line of succession, Malacañang on Wednesday recognized the “wisdom” behind Senator Panfilo Lacson’s bill authorizing the President to name a “designated survivor.”

Lacson recently pushed anew the said measure to guarantee continuity of the government’s function should “exceptional circumstances” arise.

“Well, you know, I think it’s based on a TV series ‘Designated Survivor.’ And while the series is based on fiction where everyone in government explodes away because of a terrorist attack during the State of the Nation Address, there is that scenario that should be addressed,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

“We have a clear line of succession all the way down to the House speaker, but what happens in fact if similar to what happened in the TV series where everyone perishes? Perhaps there is definitely wisdom in the bill filed by Senator Lacson,” he added.

But Roque noted a counterpart measure must also be filed in the House of Representatives after Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo withdrew the bill.

Castelo explained she withdrew the bill to erase an impression that she is in support of ignoring the constitutional line of succession to the presidency.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the line of presidential succession only includes the Vice President, Senate President, and House Speaker.

JPV