AN administration lawmaker yesterday told Vice President Sara Duterte that “bad jokes” and “toxic politics” have no place in the Marcos Jr. administration’s Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), the brand of governance and leadership being espoused by President Marcos Jr.
Rep. Ray Reyes (PL, Anakalusugan) had this to say after the Vice President said last week she will skip the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, joking she was appointing herself the “designated survivor” in case anything untoward happens in Congress that day.
“We express great concern over the recent statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte regarding her self-appointment as the `designated survivor’… Such comments are not only in poor taste but also reflect a dangerous and outdated approach to politics that we must leave behind,” said Reyes.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the line of presidential succession follows the order of the Vice President, the Senate president, and House speaker.
In the United States, a “designated survivor” or successor is an official in the presidential line of succession, who is kept at a separate location to ensure that someone will take over the presidency in case the President and other high-ranking officials, who are gathered together, are all killed.
Other lawmakers and some political analysts have dismissed Duterte’s statement as a joke.
Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III said there was no need for Duterte’s statement as she is indeed the designated successor.
He pushed for the passage of his measure seeking to extend the succession line to the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and of the Department of National Defense.
Reyes said the Vice President’s joke “trivializes the serious matter of national security.” “As a nation striving for unity and progress, we cannot afford to indulge in toxic politics that undermine the trust and cooperation necessary for effective governance,” he said.
“In Bagong Pilipinas, we envision a country free from the shadows of toxic politics. We are committed to fostering a political environment where respect, integrity, and constructive dialogue prevail. The progress of our nation depends on our ability to work together, prioritize the common good, and reject divisive and harmful rhetoric,” he said.
Reyes said the government’s focus “is on inclusive growth, transparency and accountability.”
“We call on all public officials to rise above petty politics and contribute positively to the nation’s development,” he said.
“The future of our country hinges on our collective efforts to create a political culture that prioritizes the welfare of the Filipino people. It is high time we move beyond the politics of fear and division and work towards a united, prosperous, and resilient Philippines,” Reyes said.
