Duterte as VP is against spirit of Constitution

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte's potential run for vice president next year would go against the spirit of the Constitution that clearly prohibits a second term for the President, according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

“This is because a vice president can become President anytime in case of resignation, impeachment, death, and permanent incapacity of the President," Drilon said.

“While the wording of the Constitution does not prohibit the President to run for any elected position, to run for vice president would contravene the spirit of the Constitution and could pose a serious problem of succession to the presidency later on,” he added.

He said Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution is clear that the President shall not be eligible for any re-election. “The spirit of the provision is to allow only one term for the president and to prohibit two terms. No person can occupy the highest position in the land for two terms,” Drilon emphasized.

Drilon recalled that when he was executive secretary of the late President Cory Aquino, certain quarters wanted the Aquino to run as president again on the theory that the Constitution was not applicable to her since she was elected under an interim Freedom Constitution. He said Aquino refused because it would contravene the spirit of the Constitution which only allows one term for the President.

“Hindi lumusot ang Cha-cha kaya susubukan nilang mag-tango. The Filipinos should not allow this clear circumvention of the spirit of the Constitution. We should oppose any attempt to circumvent our Constitution,” Drilon said.

Drilon warned that Duterte's possible vice-presidential run will create a serious problem of succession to the presidency if he runs and wins as vice president in the national elections.

“In case of resignation, impeachment, death, and permanent incapacity of the President, the Vice President is first in the line of succession to the presidency. Can Duterte assume the role of the president again?" Drilon asked, adding, “It will create a big question mark in an otherwise clear and established presidential line of succession. It will destroy the equilibrium.”

Drilon said he agreed with former Commission on Election chairman Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the Constitution, who had earlier said that the President's possible vice-presidential run could be a “backdoor to the Presidency”. He said: “Attorney Monsod, being among the framers of the Constitution, is in the best position to interpret the meaning and purpose of the prohibition.”

Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio, who was recently in Cebu to court supports from politicians, is reportedly gunning to replace her ageing father. (Cebu Examiner)

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