Statement

On PRRD running for Vice-President



There is no legal impediment for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to seek the Vice-Presidency, contrary to the claims of certain quarters.

Section 4, Article VII of the Constitution is clear : The President shall not be eligible for any re-election. President Duterte is not running for the same office and same position.

A careful reading of the Constitution would reveal that there is no expressed prohibition for the sitting President to run for a lower public office position.

Under the plain meaning rule or verba legis, if the statute is clear, plain and free from ambiguity, it must be given its literal meaning and applied without interpretation.

On some groups challenging the legality of President Duterte’s Vice-Presidential bid to the Supreme Court, they may rightfully do so as long as they have the legal standing. However, it is is still premature considering the President has not made up his mind and filed his certificate of candidacy.