TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE
36
25 JUL-2 P5:18
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING THE ORDER OF SUCCESSION IN CASE OF DEATH, 
PERMANENT DISABILITY, REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, OR RESIGNATION OF 
THE PRESIDENT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to Article VII Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, "Executive Power 
shall be vested in the President of the Philippines." The position of the President is of 
paramount importance as it functions as the head of the executive branch of 
government responsible for the faithful execution of laws. Further, the President is the 
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
To ensure continuity and stability of operations in government, the framers of 
our Constitution provides a line of succession in the event that the President is unable 
to discharge the duties of his office due to death, disability, or resignation in this wise
"Section 8. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or 
resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to 
serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from 
office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of 
the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of


Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice- 
President shall have been elected and qualified."1 xxx
The same constitutional provision mandates the legislature to enact a law 
identifying who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or 
resignation of the Acting President until the election and qualification of a new 
President or Vice-President.
This bill adheres to the abovementioned mandate and seeks to provide an 
exhaustive line and order of succession in the event of death, permanent disability, 
removal from office, or resignation of the Acting President to ensure that the office of 
the President is never vacated even in exceptional circumstances.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly
sought.
PANFIWNKU^CSON
( Senator
1 Article VII Section 8, 1987 Constitution


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. No.
25 JUL-2 P5:18
Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING THE ORDER OF SUCCESSION IN CASE OF DEATH, 
PERMANENT DISABILITY, REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, OR RESIGNATION OF 
THE PRESIDENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. — This Act shall be known as the "Presidential Succession Act'.
2 
Sec. 2. — In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or
3 
resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or,
4 
in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall serve as the
5 
Acting President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and
6 
qualified.
7 
Sec. 3. — In the event of permanent disability, death, removal from office or
8 
resignation of the Acting President before the President or Vice-President shall have
9 
been elected and qualified, the following elected and appointed officers of the Republic
10 
of the Philippines and who is not under any disability to discharge the powers and
11 
duties of the Office of the President shall act as President in the following order:
12 
a. the most senior Senator based on the length of service in the Senate or If there
13 
be none, or in the event of his removal, death, resignation or of his inability to
14 
act as President;
15 
b. the most senior Representative based on the length of service in the House of
16 
Representatives or if there be none, or in the event of his removal, death,
17 
resignation or of his inability to act as President; and
1


1 
c. the member of the Cabinet designated by the President.
2 
Prior to any public or private activity, event or function with the attendance of
3 
the President and other high-ranking officials which may include those mentioned in
4 
Sections 2 and 3 of this Act, the President shall designate a member of the cabinet to
5 
be sequestered in a secret and secure location and guarded by members of the
6 
Presidential Security Group. In the event of an extraordinary circumstance resulting in
7 
the death or permanent disability of the President and other officials mentioned in
8 
Sections 2 and 3 of this Act, the designated member of the cabinet shall act as the
9 
President.
10 
Sec. 4. — Official actions of the Acting President pertaining to the day-to-day
11 
operation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines shall remain effective
12 
unless revoked by the elected President within ninety days from his or her assumption
13 
of office.
14 
Sec. 5. — This Act shall take effect fifteen days after the completion of its
15 
publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.
16 
Approved,