A bill pending in Congress seeks a solution to possible power vacuum in the event of a failure of the 2010 elections. The bill, authored by Nueva Ecija Congressman Edno Joson, proposes a transition president in case of a declaration of an election failure. Joson proposes that the no. 1 Senator elected in 2007 and whose term ends in 2013, be designated as transition president. If the senator refuses the role, the responsibility goes to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The bill is enjoying tremendous support in the Lower Chamber, and great is the possibility that legislators will pass it. Now, if the elections fail, according to the bill, it would be Loren Legarda who will assume the post.
Since Legarda will be running as vice presidential bet of Nacionalista party Manny Villar, and definitely public sentiments will go against her assuming the presidency, the onus transfers to Chiz Escudero.
Escudero got the second highest number of votes last 2007 elections. Hi term ends in 2013. If he elects not to run for any elective post in 2010, Escudero would just have to wait for the elections to fail and he would assume the presidency.
Now, if Escudero do decides to run, then, it would have to be Senator Edgardo Angara who will act as transition president. Angara’s term ends in 2013.
One major stumbling block—Norberto Gonzales, the defense secretary cum ideologue cum GMA stooge.
Gonzales is there to protect the interests of the Arroyo mafia. He’s there to provide ideological muscle. In the future, Gonzales role will be very important, first as Gloria’s Rasputin in case this administration declares an emergency and converts itself into a dictatorial regime or as a catalyst for the military to shift allegiance.
Gonzales, obviously, would do what his principal orders him to do. Escudero’s alignment with the Magdalo does not sit well for Gonzales, who, as a clerico-fascist, positions himself at the extreme of the political spectrum. Gonzales is there to preserve the gains of the Arroyo mafia insofar as the military is concerned.
Clearly, what is to be expected come 2010 is the clash between Gonzales and Escudero’s group. Their clash will obviously create a push and pull effect which will eventually split the country’s military in half. If this happens, a power vacuum is likely to happen.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Better to always keep our powders dry, just in case.
In our existing law, who is suppose to be President if both the current President and VP are unavailable — in this case, due to an election failure, both positions are left vacant?
House Speaker?
Chief Justice?
Whoever it is, leave the law as it is.
My two-centavos…
Pat,
How do you draw those theoretical conclusions to be empirically verifiable beyond that probably well-drawn out images as if they are chips to fall right in place?
Couldn’t your imagination be too much to believe?
Possibly, they will not turn out to be how they all seem to you.
Your Chiz will never become president under the scenario you have concocted – nothing like it in history.
If there is a faylure of elections, then NoyNoy — number one in the polls — should replace GMA. Another possibility is that the ambassadors from Syria, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to pick the best religious leader to head the country. Or the CBCP can just go Radyo Veritas to the Class-E majority to put Erap-para-sa-mahirap put into Malacanang. Another alternative – folllow the 1987 Contutution.
I think the intention of designating an interim president is healthy, considering the untried automated elections. It is rather the final contingency plan. If the law is responsibly done, the term would be limited (to say one year) and the appointment would be stabilizing rather than destabilizing. It will be interesting to see how the law takes shape, assuming it progresses.
Can the legislature indeed generate stability and confidence? I hope so.
Joe
The 1987 Constitution is silent when it comes to a failure of election scenario.
The idiots at the COMELEC should have automated the polls during the mid-term election of 2007 or just automated the Senatorial portion of the 2010 election.
Transition president, within the context of the proposed law, must have a term not exceeding six months, enough time for another election
Perhaps we should take a cue from precedent during Spanish times. If the civil Governor General can’t assume the post due to a failure of election by the King, then the Archbishop of Manila assumes the post. This happened during the 1762-1764 British occupation when Archbishop Rojo became governor general.
No conclaves, no Erap, and definitely No Chiz!
Another proposal. Get the Presidentiable with the lowest rating and make him acting Prez. This is no other than our Dear Leader, Chairman Bayani Fernando.
But then again Gibo is running close to the cellar. He can still be the lawful acting President of the Republic!
Some of the fools in Congress have wide immaginations. They want
the election to fail. So that they can grab power. We, the people
will not play in their stupid games.
We call for all citizens for vigilance. Eternal vigilance is the
price of Liberty. Remember, freedom is not Free.
Chiz Escudero is a MORON and thus UNQUALIFIED to go any higher.
He managed to fool millions when he ran for senator, let’s all join hands to make sure he doesn’t blind everyone again with his laway.
Chiz “Puro Dakdak” Escudero, ipahid sa basura.
A vote for Chiz is a vote for stupidity, dumbing down of the educational system, intellectual dishonesty, and Marcos cronyism.
Well, its good that contingency plans are being put to place. We won’t be in the dark if elections fail. I don’t think Escudero will be automatically be selected as president though, since I think he’s going to run. The Gonzales scenario is more plausible I think.
Here’s an even greater scenario:
If elections fail, Gloria becomes president for another term.
Time to agree on what I earlier said, Mr. Pat.
Chiz is left with no option than do the ‘embargo’.
blackshama,
Isn’t it the case that during the Spanish period, the governors of the provices (alcaldes mayores) were appointed by the Spanish Governor-General?
This is so because the local inhabitants were not allowed to choose their officials. As a matter of fact, these officials once appointed by the central administrators, were allowed, if any, discretion.
Only under the Maura Law of 1893 were local citizens allowed to select some of their officers.
Just a bit of history.