GilBe Dalipe hits VP Duterte's 'Designated Survivor'  statement

HOUSE Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Representative Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe on Friday expressed his deep concern and surprise on the statetement of Vice President Sara Duterte that she had appointed herself as the country’s “Designated Survivor.”

Dalipe said that this could reflect badly on her as a lawyer and as a member of the Bar.

“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,” Dalipe emphasized.

“ The authority to appoint is exclusively vested in our President, who makes appointments ranging from Cabinet members to directors of government agencies, ” he added. 

In a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday about her plans on SONA, Duterte remarked, “No, I will not attend the SONA. I’m appointing myself as the Designated Survivor.”

Dalipe said that under the 1987 Constitution, line of succession among the country’s highest elected officials is clearly stipulated.

According to Section 8, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution, the Vice President ascends to the presidency in the event of the President’s death, incapacity, resignation, or removal, serving the unexpired term, as exemplified by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s succession following Joseph Estrada’s ousting in 2001.

This line of succession proceeds from the Senate President to the Speaker of the House.

"The Vice President's statement is deeply concerning because the term 'Designated Survivor' originates from a Korean and an American Netflix series about a government being completely wiped out in a terror attack orchestrated by those seeking to seize power," Dalipe remarked.