1. What is a Designated Survivor?A Designated Survivor to make it simple is a Designated Successor. In the United States of America, he is the government official in the presidential line of succession who keeps the distance from others when there is a special event like SONA or State of the Union Address or presidential inauguration.
The reason for this is to guarantee and make certain that in case of a man-made catastrophe or natural calamity such as an earthquake ... someone can take over the presidency in the event of mass casualty.
2. What is the advantage and importance of a Designated Survivor?
The purpose of selecting a DS is similar in structure and form to a designated driver - to assure and ensure that all passengers arrive home safe and sound after a night out with alcohol.
In Designated Survivor however, the designation is intended to prevent the decapitation of the government ... and to safeguard continuity in the presidency ... if the president, the vice president, and others in the presidential line of succession die.
This is a contingency plan meant to safeguard the presidential line of succession.
3. What is the order of succession ... or line of succession?
The order of succession follows this pattern.
a. Vice President
b. Speaker of the House of Representatives
c. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
d. Secretary of the State
4. Does the Philippines Have a Designated Survivor?
There is no such thing as a Designated Survivor in the Philippine Constitution ... therefore assigning yourself as DS is not rubber-stamped as true and correct. Mentioning the term matter-of-factly in an ambush interview is reckless and ill-advised.
It scares a lot of people ... and their thoughts can soar high thinking of all worst-case scenarios and possibilities.
5. Was it just a joke?
Some sympathizers dismissed it as a joke. But some critics are very vocal that if it was a joke ... it reeks of petulance and pugnacity.
The question from the reporter was serious ... it requires a serious and intelligent answer. Being at the top of the political totem pole ... people of your stature demand respect from the people ... so how can you demand respect if your answers are just jokes ... and are answered depending on what moods you're in. And people see ... you are not even serious about the political and legal ramifications that will result from your cavalier and condescending answers.
6. Was mentioning Designated Survivor a bomb joke?
I will let the pundits answer this one. But some quarters believe it is.
I know PD 1727 is a crime and pranksters can be imprisoned or fined.
7. Where does all this Designated Survivor nonsense come from?
Many people speculate that this Designated Survivor brouhaha stemmed from one's fantasy of the Netflix political thriller drama of the same title ... created as a TV series by David Guggenheim for ABC. And who would not dream of becoming a Kiefer Sutherland as DS who ascended from a lowly HUD Secretary to being the president of the land after an explosion that wiped out the whole cabinet?
The possibility of a big drama is there ... it requires the whole gamut of emotions and an actor worth his salt the possibilities are endless ... the situations can squeeze all your acting juices to give an outstanding performance: from an inept and naive leader-in-chief trying to unearth the veracity on the wake of the fiery blast.
I am not saying the government official wants to be an actor and wants to test showbiz waters. But it can be a fantasy (after watching a Netflix series) imagining you are the knight in shining armor wishing to be a hero at all costs to the Filipino people?
