More lawmakers air concern over Sara Duterte’s ‘designated survivor’ remark

Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Two more lawmakers expressed disappointment and concern over Vice President Sara Duterte’s self-appointment as “designated survivor” when asked if she would attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 3rd State of the Nation Address (Sona).

In a statement released Saturday, Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Representative David Suarez did not expect that such a remark would come from the holder of the second highest post in the country.

“Ang kanyang pahayag ay nagpapakita ng kakulangan ng maturity na dapat ay taglay niya bilang isang mataas na opisyal ng gobyerno,” Suarez said.

(Her statement showed the lack of maturity that she is supposed to have as a high government official.)

READ: Lawmakers slam VP Sara Duterte as ‘no longer trustworthy’

Duterte said on Thursday that she would be skipping the Sona on July 22 and appointed herself as the “designated survivor.” The constitutional line of succession suggests that Duterte is Marcos’ successor, followed by the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House.

The deputy speaker also aired his concern on the potential implication of Duterte’s remark on the safety of the President saying that “her remark is a reminder of the importance of ensuring the security and safety of the President and other officials in the line of succession.”

House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Representative Manuel Jose Dalipe said that Duterte’s statement could reflect badly on her as a lawyer and member of the Bar.

READ: Lacson says Designated Survivor Bill a constitutional mandate 

“To begin with, nowhere in our 1987 Constitution is it stated that the Vice President has the authority or power to appoint herself, or anyone else, for that matter. Furthermore, the term ‘Designated Survivor’ is not found in any of our statutes,” he added.

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson in 2019 filed Senate Bill No. 982, or the ‘Designated Survivor’ Bill, to “provide an exhaustive line/order of presidential succession in the event of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the Acting President to ensure that the office of the President is never vacated even in exceptional circumstances.”