IT seems the joke about a “designated survivor” has struck a chord with some people in the Philippines. While the concept of a designated survivor may be more commonly associated with the U.S. State of the Union address, it appears some are finding humor in the idea being applied to the upcoming Philippine State of the Nation Address.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel has criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks about appointing herself as the “designated survivor,” calling it an inappropriate joke, especially in the context of the SONA. Pimentel pointed out that the 1987 Constitution already designates the Vice President as the successor in the event of something happening to the President. I think Duterte’s quip about being the “designated survivor” comes across as more of a lighthearted — although to some, unnecessary — reference to the popular Netflix series of the same name.
That said, it is interesting to see the jokes circulating about people warning others not to attend the joint session of Congress on Monday, lest they become part of the collateral damage. Indeed, some people are finding amusement in the whole scenario, even if Pimentel believes the joke is in poor taste.
Ultimately, Pimentel’s concerns about the importance of having a clear line of succession in the event of a disaster are valid. His proposed legislation to address this scenario is a prudent move, and one that should be taken seriously by lawmakers. The “designated survivor” joke, however lighthearted, serves as a reminder of the need for contingency planning at the highest levels of government.
As the SONA approaches, it will be interesting to see if the “designated survivor” quip continues to be a source of amusement and commentary, or if the gravity of the occasion will take precedence. Regardless, the public’s reaction highlights the complex interplay between politics, pop culture, and the Filipino penchant for finding levity in even the most serious of situations.
