Marcos stands a chance after Robredo’s possible impeachment

Photo: Nonita Rapanut/Facebook.com

After Vice President Leni Robredo released a video calling the international community’s attention on the Duterte Administration’s campaign against drugs, officials had expressed various opinions including House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez announcing a plan to impeach Robredo.

This could mean that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stands a chance on securing the Office of the Vice President.

According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, if in the  event an impeachment against Robredo becomes successful, Marcos could secure the spot as the next Vice President if the Presidential Electoral Tribunal would decide on his election protest and file a resolution in favor of him

Aguirre explained that traditionally, the Constitution mandates the third highest official to succeed the office and that would be the Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. However, it also gives the President an option to nominate a replacement for a vacant Vice Presidential post from members of the Senate and the House. The nomination shall be subject to approval of a majority of the Congress voting separately.

This was the case of former Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr who was appointed Vice President in 2001 following Estrada’s resignation over plunder charges.

Nine months after Marcos filed his electoral protest, it is still in its preliminary phase.

As of the moment, the supramajority in the Lower House backed the call for Leni’s impeachment. Aguirre said that the burden would be on the accuser. He also said that chances are very likely if they could prove that her claim has no factual basis and that this claim resulted to damages to the national reputation and economy.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Jose Calida said that he supports  the impeachment plan against Robredo for betraying the government for slandering the President and his administration before the international community. He considered Robredo’s video message as a “treasonous act”.
In the event that an impeachment case has been filed, Calida vowed to render legal service.