House members slam Sara over 'designated survivor'

The pronouncement of Vice President Sara Duterte that she is the “designated survivor” did not sit well with some members of the House of Representatives.

- SHEILA CRISOSTOMO

In a statement, House members who call themselves the “Young Guns” hit Duterte for her declaration that she would not attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on July 22 as she had appointed herself as the “designated survivor.”

This will be the first time that she will be absent at the event since the pair ascended to power in 2022.

Isabela Rep. Inno Dy V, 1-Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Jil Bongalon and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun lamented the Vice President’s comments as they emphasized the “gravity of her position and the potential impact of her words.”

Dy said the remarks are “both inappropriate and reckless” and “such rhetoric hints at scenarios that are alarming and baseless, sowing unnecessary fear among the public.”

Gutierrez noted the pronouncement could undermine the seriousness of national events, such as the SONA.

“While obviously intended as a joke, it is quite inappropriate. The SONA is a serious event where we address the nation’s most pressing issues, and such comments taken out of context undermine its significance and fuel speculation,” he added.

In another statement, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. reminded Duterte to be more “circumspect” with her remarks and to avoid “alarming statements.”

Gonzales said implying that something bad will happen when the President delivers the SONA is a “very serious matter that warrants an investigation.”

“It’s a very bad joke. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, especially coming from a very popular VP who garnered a resounding 32 million votes in the last presidential elections.

It’s the highest vote for an elected official in our history books,” he added. Gonzales asked if the Vice President is “spending too much time watching Netflix.”