Gatchalian files resolution for president, VP ‘tandem vote’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution urging both houses of Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution to establish a single-ticket system in electing the president and vice president of the country.

In filing Resolution of Both Houses No. 3, Gatchalian said that the move will not only strengthen the political party system but will also “provide the much-needed push to shift towards a more unified and consistent ideological or platform-based election that will promote policy continuity and assure implementation efficiency.”

“By institutionalizing a single ticket for the President, the focus of election will shift from the personalities involved to the political party’s common and unified policy agenda and contribute to more programmatic political debate and more effective governance,” he said.

He also cited the “animosity” between the president and vice president or a “coalition of convenience” when the two elected officials come from different political parties.

Gatchalian proposed that the Senate and the House of Representatives, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members, amend the provision under Section 4 of Article VII to mandate the election of the President and Vice President as a single ticket.

“Each ticket of candidates for President and Vice President shall be proposed prior to the holding of general elections by political parties or coalitions of political parties which are participants in the general elections,” he added.

He likewise proposed that the election returns that will be transmitted to Congress for canvassing procedure will be as a single ticket, and the ticket of candidates for president and vice president who will have the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected.

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