After the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, some may be wondering who would replace her if she is officially removed from office.
Photo: Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook
According to Article VII, Section 9 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the President needs to nominate a new Vice President from among the members of the Senate or House of Representatives, regardless of rank.
Once the President has made the selection, both chambers of Congress must separately vote by majority to approve the nominee.
“Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice President from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall assume office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately,” the Constitution stated.
On February 5, a total of 215 lawmakers of 306 House members signed a fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds, betrayal of public trust, and threat to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez assassinated.
The complaint has been submitted to the Senate, which will act as an impeachment court, and is currently under review. Once the trial begins, a two-thirds majority vote from Senate members is required for Duterte’s official removal from office.
Conversely, she needs only eight votes against conviction. In case she is convicted, she will be permanently barred from holding any public office.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero told the press that the impeachment trial of Duterte will take place after the midterm elections in May, emphasizing that the earliest possible date is June 2. He added that the impeachment will most likely be decided by a new group of lawmakers.
On February 7, Duterte said in a press briefing that she was not yet considering resigning from her post amid the impeachment proceedings by the House. She also reiterated that her legal team is currently working on the complaint.
“Wala pa tayo doon, masyado pang malayo yung mga ganyang bagay [We’re not yet there. Things like that are still too far ahead],” she underscored.
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