Palace sees wisdom of having ‘designated survivor’

Roque admitted that despite having a “clear” line of presidential succession under the Constitution, the possibility of the President’s successors dying all together on any occasion should not be discounted. (PCOO file photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday believed that Senator Panfilo Lacson’s intention is good when he filed a measure authorizing the President to name a “designated survivor,” should any of the constitutional successors fail to take over the presidency.

In an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque acknowledged that there is a need to pick a successor who is not part of the constitutional line of succession.

“Perhaps, there is definitely wisdom in the bill filed by Senator Lacson,” Roque said.

The Vice President, Senate President, and House Speaker are the legal successors of the President under the 1987 Constitution.

Roque admitted that despite having a “clear” line of presidential succession under the Constitution, the possibility of the President’s successors dying all together on any occasion should not be discounted.

“There is that scenario that should be addressed,” he said.

On Monday, Lacson pushed for the passage of the “designated survivor” bill to avert a possible “constitutional crisis and leadership vacuum,” in the event that the president, vice president, Senate president, and House speaker die in “exceptional circumstances.”

Lacson said a constitutional crisis is possible if all of the four top elected officials perish during a terror attack at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City while the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.

Under Lacson’s Senate Bill 982 that was filed last year, the most senior senator, most senior House representative, and Cabinet member designated by the President shall act as the country’s chief executive in the following order in case of death or permanent disability of all constitutional successors.

The counterpart of Lacson’s bill in the House of Representatives has been withdrawn.

Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo in August 2019 filed House Bill 4062, which authorizes the President to choose a successor who is not part of the constitutional line of succession.

On Sunday, Hipolito-Castelo withdrew HB 4062 to dispel any notion that she was for “ignoring or scrapping the constitutional line of succession to the presidency.”

Lacson said it was “unfortunate” that Hipolito-Castelo requested the withdrawal of HB 4062.