Opposition senators buck abolition of vice presidency

MANILA, Philippines — Minority senators opposed Monday floated proposals abolishing the Office of the Vice President in the new Constitution, saying that the position offers protection against a possible dictatorship.

Sen. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino said the essence of democracy was in the Constitution's check and balance and stressed that this should be protected as efforts to amend the charter get underway.

"The right of Filipinos to elect a vice president, even from an opposing party, is a protection against dictatorship," Aquino said in a statement.

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A former lawmaker warned over the weekend that the proposed Constitution of the ruling PDP-Laban party might abolish the vice presidency.

Former Rep. Neri Colmenares warned that this might mean that Vice President Leni Robredo would be ousted from office before her term ended in 2022.

Colmenares said that even if Robredo was allowed to stay she would be rendered a lame duck as she would not be along the line of succession to the presidency.

Robredo, through her legal counsel Barry Gutierrez, questioned how the possible abolition of the vice presidency was related to the establishment of a federal form of government, which was the primary reason for charter change.

"The question therefore is, how does abolishing the OVP relate to the establishment of federalism? Or is the abolition already in service of some other, unstated, agenda?" Guitierrez said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also registered his opposition to the plan.

"That is their proposal. I don't agree with that. We do not agree with that. The Vice President is an important part of our system of governance and the constitutional succession to the President," he said in an interview with reporters.

Sen. Grace Poe meanwhile said that she would not comment as there was no proposal yet that could be voted on by senators.

Drilon meanwhile underscored that the preference of President Rodrigo Duterte for a unicameral form of Congress held a lot of weight but ultimately the decision on changes to the Constitution rested with Congress, a point of view that Poe subscribes to.

"If that's the view of the President then certainly there will be his allies here that will probably promote it, but again, the Senate has to be able to have its own voice," Poe stressed.

Drilon also said that having two chambers was important to maintain the check and balance within Congress and warned that in a unicameral set-up the House would always have its way.

"Regardless of the surveys, for me, there should be a check and balance within [the two houses of] Congress," the minority leader said.

Poe also warned against rushing changes to the Constitution, saying that amendments to the charter's economic provisions should be the priority.

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