Senate readies for No-el scenario after PDP-Laban bid to reopen COC filing — Lacson, Sotto

FILE PHOTO: Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and Senate President Vicente Sotto III. INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is ready to elect a new leader who will serve as acting president should there be an attempt to delay the May 2022 polls and extend President Rodrigo  Duterte’s term.

Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson disclosed this possible scenario after Duterte’s faction in the PDP- Laban sought to reopen the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoCs).

“I would not like to think that the intention of the petition to reopen the filing of the COCs filed by the PDP-Laban is to delay the election on May 9, 2022 — and pave the way for the extension of the term of office of the President beyond June 30, 2022. This is something the 1987 Constitution clearly forbids,” Lacson said in a  statement on Monday.

“As I have suggested earlier to Senate President Vicente Sotto III and some of my colleagues, the Senate must not allow this to happen,” he added.

To preserve the presidential line of succession as provided for under Article  VII Sec. 7 of the 1987 Constitution, Lacson said a new Senate President would be elected before Congress adjourns its sessions in June.

The new Senate President, whose term will expire on June 30, 2025, should act as President “until a new President or Vice President shall have been chosen and qualified,” the senator explained.

According to Lacson, most of his colleagues have already agreed to his proposal.

“Let me clarify and emphasize that I am not accusing the administration of any malevolent attempt in this possible scenario. What I’m only saying is that the Senate will always be the bulwark of our democracy, and I take pride in playing a major role in it,” he added.

Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, confirmed having discussions on a possible delay of this year’s elections.

“Yes we have discussed that, it’s our idea of how to resolve the problem of vacancy in the leadership. We were ten steps ahead,” Sotto said in a text message.

“It’s resolving a constitutional problem if everyone’s term ends on June 30 and with no newly elected officials,” he added.

If elections are postponed, Sotto said, he would step down in the last week of May so a new Senate President is elected who will serve as acting president until elections are held.

“They cannot replace him or her by July 1st because they will only have 12 votes,” the Senate leader  said.

In August 2019, Lacson himself filed a bill seeking to provide an “exhaustive” line or order of presidential succession in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office or resignation.

At present, the only designated successors to the presidential seat are the Vice President, Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“To avert a possible constitutional crisis in the unlikely event that all four top elected officials are rendered unable to perform the duties of the President, I filed that measure,” Lacson said, referring to Senate Bill No. 892 known as the “designated survivor” bill.

“Unfortunately, there is not even a committee hearing called up to now,” the senator added.

EDV