Vice President Sara Duterte's "designated survivor" joke was "not in good taste," said Manila Third District Representative Joel Chua, as he considers ensuring the President's and other high officials' safety to be no laughing matter.
This followed Duterte's statement in an interview confirming her absence from President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
"No, I will not attend sa SONA. I am appointing myself as the designated survivor," she was quoted to have said.
In the United States, a designated survivor is an official in the presidential line of succession directed not to attend a gathering with the president and other possible successors. Should anything happen to them, the designated survivor will serve as acting president.
"Alam po ninyo 'yung considering na 'yung political tension ngayon, papalapit na 'yung midterm election, at 'yung mga inaabot po natin, international, mga problema po natin sa West Philippine Sea (WPS). Sa tingin ko po 'yung ganitong biro ay hindi po maganda," Chua stated in an interview with DZRH.
("You know that considering the political tensions today, the midterm elections which are drawing nearer, and our international problems such as in the West Philippine Sea--in my opinion, this kind of joke is not a good one.")
Chua explained that there is no such law in the Philippines and that, according to the 1987 Constitution, as elected Vice President, she had already been designated to succeed Marcos.
Security personnel will total at around 2,200 for the SONA, which is close to the number of expected attendees.
