A bill by Senator Ping Lacson seeks to ensure the government will keep running even in case of a disaster or “exceptional circumstances” where the President and his/her constitutional successors are killed or disabled.
Lacson’s proposed “Presidential Succession Act” extends the list of succession beyond the Vice President, Senate President and House Speaker, the current line of presidential succession under the 1987 Constitution.
“This bill … seeks to provide an exhaustive line and order of succession in the event of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the Acting President to ensure that the office of the President is never vacated even in exceptional circumstances,” the veteran legislator said in his bill.
“The Constitution mandates Congress to enact a law identifying who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President.”
The seasoned lawmaker also noted the Constitution mandates Congress to enact a law identifying who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President until the election and qualification of a new President or Vice-President.
Under the senator’s bill – which was filed in the 18th Congress as the “Designated Survivor” bill – the following elected and appointed officers who are not under any disability to discharge the powers and duties of the Office of the President shall act as President in the following order, in case of the death or permanent disability of those specified in the Constitution:
* the most senior Senator based on the length of service in the Senate
* the most senior Representative based on the length of service in the House of Representatives
* the member of the Cabinet designated by the President.
“Before any public or private function to be attended by the President, Vice President and other ranking officials, the President shall designate a member of the Cabinet to be sequestered in a secret and secure location.”
The bill also provides that before any public or private function to be attended by the President, Vice President and other ranking officials, the President shall designate a member of the Cabinet to be sequestered in a secret and secure location.
The “designated survivor” is to be guarded by members of the Presidential Security Group, and shall act as President “in the event of an extraordinary circumstance resulting in the death or permanent disability of the President and other officials.”
Official actions of the Acting President pertaining to the day-to-day operation of the government shall remain effective unless revoked by the elected President within 90 days from his/her assumption of office.
