Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (left) and Vice President Sara Duterte (right). - File photos from Senate PRIB and official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA: Vice President Sara Duterte’s ouster will not make him her successor, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified on Thursday (Aug 22).
Escudero said this when asked in a radio interview if he would assume Duterte’s post should an alleged impeachment bid against her succeed.
“Hindi (No),” the Senate chief answered when asked over Radyo 630.
"According to the Constitution, if something happens to the vice president, as in our history, Vice President GMA, ascended to the presidency. That’s why the position of vice president became vacant," Escudero recalled.
He was referring to former President and now Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who ascended to the presidency when then President Joseph Estrada was ousted during the second Edsa revolution in 2001.
Arroyo picked then-Senator Teofisto Guingona as her vice president under the law, according to Escudero.
The Senate chief explained that under the charter, Arroyo was allowed to choose her vice president from the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
By a majority of the vote, Congress confirmed Guingona’s appointment as the second highest official of the land, Escudero further explained.
The Senate leader also cited the 1987 Constitution, which provides for the line of presidential succession in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the top two officials of the country.
Under the Constitution, the president of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the speaker of the House of Representatives, will act as president “until a President or a Vice-President shall have been chosen and qualified.”
Duterte said last Tuesday that an impeachment bid against her is openly discussed in the House.
Escudero refused to comment on the issue, as he might be a member of the jury in case such an impeachment complaint reaches the Senate.
But further pressed about the recent exchange between Duterte and Sen. Risa Hontiveros during a budget hearing, Escudero said the vice president’s remarks could not be considered an impeachable offence.
"What he said in the hearing about Senator Risa is not impeachable, and I think Senator Risa has also commented on it," he said.
"It’s okay because it pertains to a specific incident that occurred during the debate on the budget," Escudero said.
Duterte accused Hontiveros of “politicising” government funds after the latter asked about a P10 million budget of the Office of the Vice President for the distribution of a children’s book authored by the VP herself. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
