Nominating a New VP President Marcos Jr.'s Options if Sara Duterte Faces Impeachment

President Marcos Jr.'s Options if Sara Duterte Faces Impeachment Nominating a New VP

As the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte continue to unfold, analysts are scrutinizing the potential consequences for her position. One scenario that has garnered significant attention is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s ability to name a new vice president if Duterte is convicted and removed from office.

According to Froilan Calilung, a political analyst and professor at the University of Santo Tomas, the Constitution grants the President the power to nominate someone to assume the vice presidency in the event of a vacancy. This provision has been invoked before, with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nominating Teofisto Guingona after the vice presidency was declared vacant in 2001.

The Constitutional Basis for Presidential Nomination

Article VII, Section 8 of the Philippine Constitution provides that if the Vice President shall have been impeached and removed from office, or has resigned or is unable to perform the duties of his office, the President shall nominate some suitable person to fill the vacancy. This provision gives the President discretion in selecting a new vice president.

The Potential Impact on the Political Landscape

The nomination of a new vice president could have significant implications for the political landscape. As Calilung notes, most likely, what will happen here is that the president will appoint somebody who is their ally or is in their bloc, who will make their political maneuvers for 2028 easy for them. This could potentially give Marcos Jr.'s administration a boost in terms of political leverage and influence.

Perpetual Disqualification

In addition to the potential consequences for her position, impeachment would also result in Duterte's perpetual disqualification from running for any public office or holding any government position. This would effectively bar her from seeking higher office in the future.

Constitutionality of Impeachment Proceedings

Calilung has raised concerns about the constitutionality of the impeachment proceedings against Duterte. He argues that the process was rushed and did not follow the procedural prescriptions outlined in Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution. This could potentially lead to a conviction being declared unconstitutional.

Conclusion

In conclusion, President Marcos Jr.'s options if Sara Duterte faces impeachment include nominating a new vice president. While this scenario is possible, it would require careful consideration and adherence to constitutional procedures. As Calilung notes, impeachment is a solemn function that is given to Congress – and its members should be given enough time to thoroughly review the complaint and verify the allegations.

Keywords Impeachment, Vice President Sara Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Constitution, Political Landscape

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.