The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia discussed the Philippine government's Law of Succession, detailing how an official is chosen in case of vacancy.
In an exclusive interview at Balansyado on Friday, Garcia clarified the existing presidential line of succession, as specified by the 1987 Constitution. According to the COMELEC Chairman, the current line of presidential succession follows: the Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
If the Vice President moves up as President, the official will be the one to choose a candidate from either the Senate or Congress, subject to concurrence.
Back in 2001, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was ousted from his position after the House of Representatives voted to impeach him. Following the event, then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over the former's position as President. Then Senator Teofisto Guingona emerged as the top choice to succeed Arroyo as Vice President.
Garcia highlighted how Guingona succeeded the position because the majority of the officials from the Senate and Congress, voted in his favor.
"Ibig sabihin, manggagaling ang ating Bise Presidente kung sakali, sa ating Senado o sa ating mababang kapulungan, depende sa Pangulo," Garcia said.
He also clarified that in cases where the Vice President is ousted through impeachment, the President would still have the power to choose the former's successor.
"Yung sinasabing pangatlo ang ating Senate President tapos sunod ang Speaker, [applicable lang] kung sakaling walang Presidente at wala rin Bise Presidente. Therefore, ang magiging acting President ay ang Senate President," he said.
"Kung walang Presidente, Bise Presidente, at Senate President, ang mag a-acting naman [bilang] President ay ang ating Speaker of the House, hanggang makapag-halal tayo ng bagong Pangulo," he added.
Moreover, the Senate President will be the one to lead the proceedings in case an impeachment case is passed on them. During the proceedings, both the Senate and Congress will be voting on which candidate to choose.
Although the Senate and Congress will be voting separately, Garcia noted that it would still be tallied as one majority vote for a certain candidate.
