Cayetano urges senators to reject VP post if Duterte ousted

MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday appealed to his colleagues serving as senator-judges to declare in advance that they would decline the vice presidency if Vice President Sara Duterte were to be removed from office through impeachment proceedings.

In a statement, Cayetano expressed support for Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero's public declaration that he would reject any offer to assume the vice presidency under such circumstances. Cayetano's call represents an effort to establish a collective position among senators regarding potential succession to the nation's second-highest office.

The appeal comes amid ongoing tensions between the Vice President and members of Congress. Cayetano's proposal seeks to prevent what he and other lawmakers view as politically motivated succession scenarios, emphasizing that senators should distance themselves from becoming beneficiaries of any ouster.

The move underscores broader concerns within the Senate about the constitutional and political implications of vice-presidential succession, particularly in cases involving impeachment or removal from office. Whether Cayetano's appeal will result in formal declarations from other senators remains to be seen.