House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong asserted that Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should refrain from demanding President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s resignation, citing an inherent political conflict of interest given her position in the line of presidential succession.
Adiong’s statements responded to Vice Presidential spokesperson Paolo Panelo, who maintained that Duterte was prepared to take over the presidency if Marcos stepped down and dismissed assertions that her demands created a conflict of interest.
“I think for someone who has already indicated her desire to run for the presidency, I think she should be the last person to ask the sitting President to resign because that is entirely a political stand,” Alonto Adiong said at a press briefing.
“Ayaw nilang pinupulitika itong mga issue na ’to, sila ’yung unang-unang namumulitika,” he added.
Duterte previously demanded that President Marcos step down, accusing his administration of misconduct, corruption, and political intimidation.
Panelo defended the Vice President’s calls, arguing that she was democratically chosen to assume office should a vacancy occur, meaning her position was neither self-serving nor improper.
Adiong countered that the Vice President’s actions breached political propriety, pointing out that she would directly gain from the President’s departure.
“Very clear naman po who stands to benefit pag nag-resign ang Presidente. Diretso po ang Vice President, being the next in line to succeed if there’s a vacancy in the Office of the President,” he said.
“So I think it’s on a level of propriety lamang. Propriety lamang,” he added.
Adiong stressed that Duterte should not spearhead efforts advocating for the chief executive’s resignation.
Under Article VII, Section 8 of the Philippine Constitution, the Vice President assumes the presidency for the remainder of the term if the sitting President dies, becomes permanently disabled, is removed from office, or resigns.
“That is her position, but unfortunately many of our kababayan do not share that position,” Adiong concluded.