Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo courtesy of OVP)

Vice President Sara Duterte's much-panned "designated survivor" joke in connection with the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) could get her in trouble with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. 

House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe floated this possibility on Saturday July 13 as he expressed his "deep concern and surprise" over the Vice President's remarks. 

Dalipe said that this could reflect badly on her as a lawyer and as a member of the Bar. 

“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,” Dalipe underscored. 

“The authority to appoint is exclusively vested in our President, who makes appointments ranging from Cabinet members to directors of government agencies,” he added. 

"The Vice President's statement is deeply concerning because the term 'designated survivor' originates from a Korean and an American Netflix series about a government being completely wiped out in a terror attack orchestrated by those seeking to seize power," noted Dalipe. 

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https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/12/gonzales-on-vp-duterte-we-don-t-even-know-if-we-can-still-trust-her 

In a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday about her plans on President Marcos' third SONA this coming July 22 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, Duterte remarked, “No, I will not attend the SONA. I’m appointing myself as the designated survivor.” 

Dalipe said that under the 1987 Constitution, the line of succession among the country’s highest elected officials is clearly stipulated. 

According to Section 8, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution, the Vice President ascends to the presidency in the event of the President’s death, incapacity, resignation, or removal, serving the unexpired term, as shown by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s succession following Joseph Estrada’s ousting in 2001. 

This line of succession proceeds from the Senate President to the Speaker of the House, Dalipe, also a lawyer, said. 

Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland top-billed the 2016 Netflix series, which lasted three seasons.