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Several lawmakers criticized on Friday Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement calling herself “designated survivor”, as she declared that she would skip the third State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22.

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sara 07122024

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — Several members of the House have criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement calling herself “designated survivor”, as she declared that she would skip the third State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22.</p><p>The Netflix show “Designated Survivor” is about a low-profile Cabinet member who was designated to skip the US President’s State of the Union Address before a joint session of the US Congress to make sure there is someone in charge in case federal government leaders present in the event are wiped out. </p><p>In the show, the designated survivor became President after a terrorist bombed the US Congress during the speech, wiping out the political leadership of the United States. </p><p>House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. called Duterte’s remark “a very bad joke”. </p><p>“Implying that something bad will happen when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 is a very serious matter that warrants an investigation,” he said in a statement.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/12/-not-that-deep-senator-ex-solon-defend-vp-sara-s-designated-survivor-remark-1403" id="isPasted">&#x27;Not that deep&#x27;: Senator, ex-solon defend VP Sara&#x27;s &#x27;designated survivor&#x27; remark </a></div><p>“It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, especially coming from a very popular VP,” Gonzales added. </p><p>He noted that unlike the US, the Philippines has no law on designated survivor. The lawmaker advised the Vice President to be “more circumspect and responsible in her utterances, owing to her title and the high office that she represents.”</p><p>“The VP is creating or wreaking havoc to the general public. She’s alarming the people. The SONA is a yearly official and formal event that needs respect, most especially from elected officials like her,” Gonzales said.</p><p>In a separate statement, House Majority Leader Jose “Mannix” Dalipe Jr. of Zamboanga City said Vice President Duterte’s reflects badly on her as a lawyer.</p><p>“To begin with, nowhere in our 1987 Constitution is it stated that the Vice President has the authority or power to appoint herself, or anyone else, for that matter. Furthermore, the term ‘Designated Survivor’ is not found in any of our statutes,” he said.</p><p>Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Duterte&#x27;s father and who has a reputation for making shocking statements, said in July that his daughter is just like him and will play games witm media if they let her.</p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">&quot;Maniwala kayo kay Inday? I-jamming ka niyan nang husto... Saan ka nakakita, tatay dalawang anak magtakbo [sa Senado]... Wag kayong kumagat kay Inday kasi &#x27;yan si Inday kagaya ko rin &#x27;yan,&quot; <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/1/-wag-kayong-kumagat-duterte-denies-plans-for-senate-run-alongside-2-sons-1155">Duterte told reporters</a> in July after Vice President Duterte announced three Dutertes would be running for senator in 2025.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">(You believe Inday? She will have her fun with you. Where have you seen a father and his two sons all running for the Senate? Don&#x27;t take Inday&#x27;s bait because she is just like me.)</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><strong>&#x27;INAPPROPRIATE AND RECKLESS&#x27;</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Several lawmakers echoed the House senior leader’s sentiments.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“The Vice President’s remarks about being the ‘designated survivor’ are both inappropriate and reckless. Such rhetoric hints at scenarios that are alarming and baseless, sowing unnecessary fear among the public,” House Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino Dy said.</p><div><br/></div><p>“The Vice President’s absence from the SONA, framed in such a dramatic and fear-inducing manner, does a disservice to the spirit of public service and solidarity,” La Union 1st District Rep.Francisco Paolo Ortega added. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/9/vp-sara-duterte-a-no-show-at-palarong-pambansa-opening-in-cebu-1802" id="isPasted">VP Sara Duterte a no show at Palarong Pambansa opening in Cebu </a> </div><p>“Jokes about national security and succession are no laughing matter. The Vice President should be setting an example of leadership and responsibility, not creating unnecessary panic,”  House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong stressed. </p><p>Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and Kabataan Party List Rep. Raoul Manuel, meanwhile, raised questions on Duterte’s statement. </p><p>&quot;Does she have a premonition of the things to come?  She should refrain from watching too much Netflix. Her joke could have been better handled given that all high-ranking officials of the land would be there. Vice President Sara Duterte should be more cautious with what she says,&quot; Romualdo said. </p><p>“’Di ba ang designated survivor ang siyang nagiging presidente kapag naubos ang lahat ng iba pang pwedeng maging Presidente batay sa succession? Is she implying or looking forward to the possibility that something bad will happen to the sitting President and his Cabinet during the SONA para wala nang hadlang sa pangarap niya na maging presidente at makabalik ang mga Duterte sa Malacanang?” Manuel asked. </p><p>For ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro, the Vice President’s remark is “reminiscent of her father&#x27;s jokes cum threat that resulted in the killing of thousands in his fake drug war”. </p><p>“Is this a threat or a bad joke? With her statement, it seems that VP Duterte wants to become the president and a dictator at that by eliminating Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as well as the majority of national officials,” Castro said. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/11/sara-duterte-to-skip-marcos-sona-1305" id="isPasted">Sara Duterte to skip Marcos SONA </a> </div><div><strong>TIGHT SECURITY </strong></div><p>House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, meanwhile, gave assurances that tight security plans are already in place in and around the Batasang Pambansa complex for the July 22 SONA. </p><p>“Already in place ‘yung security… whether there are threats or no threats. Anticipated na ‘yan ng security team namin. In fact, almost 100% nakalatag na ‘yung security plan nila doon,” he said. </p><p>“Palagay ko there would be enough security personnel and equipment to ensure that all the guests will be secured,” Velasco added. </p><p>More than 2,000 guests including top government officials and foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the July 22 SONA.</p>

<p>Several lawmakers criticized on Friday Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement calling herself “designated survivor”, as she declared that she would skip the third State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22.</p>

Lawmakers slam VP Duterte’s 'designated survivor' quip

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Lawmakers slam VP Duterte’s 'designated survivor' quip

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 12, 2024 04:32 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 13, 2024 12:32 PM PHT

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