What Happens If the Vice President Is Removed From Office
VICE PRESIDENT – As political developments continue to unfold, the Commission on Elections has clarified the legal process that determines who may replace the Vice President if impeachment leads to a vacancy.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has clarified the constitutional process that will determine who may replace a government official—particularly the Vice President—if the position becomes vacant due to impeachment.
The explanation comes amid the ongoing impeachment proceedings in the Senate involving Vice President Sara Duterte, a matter that has drawn national attention and renewed discussions about constitutional succession rules.
During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum held on Wednesday, May 20, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia explained that the procedure is clearly stated under the Constitution.
“Nakalagay po sa probisyon ng Article 7 of the Constitution—dahil sa impeachment na pinag-uusapan—in case of vacancy sa posisyon na halimbawa po ay Vice President, ang papalit po diyan ay pipili ang Pangulo ng isa sa mga miyembro ng Senado o mababang kapulungan,” said Garcia.
He further explained the approval process required before a replacement can officially assume the position.
“At ‘yon pong pagpili niya dapat with the consent of the majority of the members of the Senate and the members of the House of Representatives voting separately, hindi po voting jointly.”
Garcia emphasized that both chambers of Congress must separately approve the President’s selection before the appointment becomes official.
“So, majority ng Senado [ay] 13; majority ng House of Representatives [ay] 150 something ang dapat na makukuha para sumang-ayon,” he said.
The Comelec chairman also pointed out that the Constitution does not specify a deadline or timeframe for filling a vacant vice presidential position.
“Wala naman pong binanggit ang Saligang Batas tungkol sa period na kinakailangang magkaroon ng appointment,” he said.
The clarification follows recent developments in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. On Monday, May 18, the Senate convened as an impeachment court after the House of Representatives impeached the Vice President for the second time.
The discussion on succession rules has also revived memories of a similar event in Philippine political history.
Records show that a vice presidential vacancy occurred after former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was removed from office. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo then assumed the presidency, leaving the vice presidential position vacant.
As a result, Arroyo selected former Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr. to become Vice President—a decision that was later approved by Congress, following the constitutional process now being discussed once again.
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