MANILA, Philippines — In a surprising move, Vice President Sara Duterte has announced that she will skip the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22, appointing herself as a “designated survivor.” However, House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco believes Duterte may just be joking, as there is no such provision in the Philippines.
Velasco addressed Duterte’s statement in an interview, noting, “I think she is just joking … because we (Philippines) do not have such thing as a designated survivor. In the US, there is. You have seen the series on US TV, they have a designated survivor. A cabinet official, a cabinet secretary will not be attending the Sona and the person is secluded,” he said in Filipino.
Designated Survivor Meaning
The idea or meaning of a designated survivor is a familiar concept in the US. This is where a cabinet member is kept at a secure location during the State of the Union address. As such ensures the continuity of government should a catastrophic event occur. In contrast, the 1987 Philippine Constitution clearly outlines the line of succession in case a sitting president dies or becomes permanently disabled.
Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states that the Vice President will succeed the President if the latter dies or becomes permanently disabled at the beginning of their term. If both the President and Vice President are incapacitated, the Senate President or, in their inability, the Speaker of the House will act as President until new elections can be held.
Despite proposing bills for a designated successor, lawmakers have enacted none. This legislative gap has prompted questions about Duterte’s intentions.
A Veiled Threat or Political Strategy?
Duterte’s comment has sparked debate among netizens. Some interpreted it as a veiled threat, suggesting potential danger to the country’s leaders attending the SONA. The Vice President’s remark comes amid growing tensions between her and President Marcos. This marks a significant shift in the political landscape since their united front during the 2022 elections.
Velasco clarified that Duterte’s statement does not serve as a formal confirmation of her attendance or absence from the SONA. “Well as of now we have not yet received a formal confirmation, a letter from the Office of the Vice President or at least an official of the Office of the Vice President telling us that the Vice President wouldn’t come or will not come to the Sona,” he said.
Uniteam No More
The relationship between Marcos and Duterte has deteriorated over the past year, with Duterte recently leaving the Cabinet. Her decision to skip the SONA and declare herself the “designated survivor” could signal her intention to distance herself further from the current administration and carve out her own political path.
Former Vice Presidents Leni Robredo, Jejomar Binay, and Noli de Castro have also indicated they will not attend the SONA.
As the nation waits for the SONA, the dynamics between the country’s top leaders continue to evolve. This left many to speculate about the future of the Marcos-Duterte alliance and the broader implications for Philippine politics.
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