Vice presidential bets say they're ready to take on presidency

Vice presidential aspirants on Saturday said they were ready to take on the helm of the country if the Chief Executive was rendered incapable of serving while they were second in line to the presidency.

In a debate put together by CNN Philippines, former Akbayan Representative Walden Bello said he was ready to be president in case of an emergency.

He, however, devoted the rest of his closing remarks to draw attention to Davao Mayor Sara Duterte's absence in the debate and her standard bearer's expected non-attendance in Sunday's presidential debate.

"Yes, I’ll be ready to assume. But I really wanted to air some of my problems. You know, Sara Duterte is not here. They were watching us, fighting one another. And she was not here to reveal her program because she has no program for the people,” Bello said.

Bello said that all Duterte had to propose was a bill mandating military service among all 18-year-olds in the country.

Bello and Duterte had earlier exchanged words over Duterte’s proposal to make military service mandatory among Filipinos, either male and female.

“I think the main problem that we face is the Marcos-Duterte tandem, and I think they just spat on the face of the FIlipino people, telling them that you are not worth my giving you our programs because they have f*cking no programs, okay?” Bello said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Marcos and Duterte and would publish their reply once they answer.

Rizalito David said he had a clear vision to help the people.

The executive director of Pro-Life Philippines Foundation said he would accept the responsibility wholeheartedly if he won as vice president in Eleksyon 2022.

“We are destined to greatness yan po ang pangarap ng Diyos para sa atin subalit hindi nangyayari may mga taong pinipigilan na mangyari ang mga bagay na yan. Yung preparasyon ko po ay nariyan hinihintay lang po ang pagkakataon kung yan po ay babagsak sa akin, tatanggapin ko po ng buong lugod at isasagawa ang mga bagay na dapat gawin sa ating bayan katulad ng nasabi, we are destined to greatness,” David said.

(We are destined to greatness, that is God's dream for us, however, there are some people who prevent those things from happening. My preparation is already there, I am just waiting for the opportunity. If it happens to me, I will accept it with joy and do the things that must be done, as I said, we are destined to greatness.)

“We only need leaders to this, for us well together with the people and share this mission kailangan natin ng malinaw na direksyon at ano ba ang vision ng leader na yon? Malinaw na po sa akin yan. Ako po ay nakahanda sa ganyang pagkakataon,” he added.

(We only need leaders for this, for us to work well together with the people and share this mission we need a clear direction and what is the vision of a leader? That is clear to me. I am ready for that opportunity.)

Manny Lopez said he had a 10-point socio economic development and reform agenda for the Philippines.

"Ako lang po ang kandidato para Bise Presidente na walang official tandem na presidente. But I will fully commit to support the best, most qualified and committed presidential candidate who will serve the interest and welfare of our people," Vice Presidential candidate Manny Lopez said.

"Ako bilang ekonomista at isang management professional, we came up with a 10-point socio-economic development and reform agenda to help uplift the lives of people. Bilang VP ng Labor Party ako ay handa na maglingkod sa ating sambayanan upang maitawid natin ang ating mga suliranin," he added.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan said he knew the challenges faced by Filipinos especially the poor.

"Noong tinanggap ko ang hiling ng ating Vice President na si Leni na maging vice presidential candidate niya, ako ay napaluha at nakita ng ating mga kababayan... ang isang dahilan ay dahil nakita ko ang mabigat na tungkulin ng isang magiging Vice President at mabigat na mga problema ng ating bansa. Tinanggap ko 'yun dahil kung alam kong mahirap ang dadaanan naming kampanya, mas mahirap ang dinadaanan ng ating mga kababayan na namatayan, walang trabaho, ginugutom," he said.

Pangilinan then promised to look after the welfare of those in need.

"Sa pagkakataong 'yun, titiyakin natin, uunahin natin 'yung mga nasa laylayan, 'yung mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Bata pa lang akong abogado, ako na ay nagbibigay ng libreng serbisyong legal sa ating mga kababayan. Biko nga, isang bilaong biko nga ang bayad sa akin ng mga manggagawa... hanggang sa ngayon, mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang ating ipinaglalaban dahil sila ang kapos," Pangilinan added

Carlos Serapio pointed to his 50 years in advocacy work.

"By God's grace I submit that I will be ready to assume the presidency should the occasion arise. I have thought a lot about presenting myself as a candidate in this coming election. I discerned, I reflected, I prayed,"Serapio said.

"I came to the conclusion that 50 years of experience that I have been blessed to be part of the advocacy work of the just ordering of society will serve me in good stead should I would be called to perform the duties of President," he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III focused his closing statement on his competence and his decades of experience.

“I have built consensus with 23 republics as president of the Senate for almost four years. We believe in our competence, experience, and I think, we will be guided well not only by the good Lord, but of course, the experience that we built in 30 years,” he said.

Sotto reiterated the center of their campaign which is “Katapangan, Kakayahan at Katapatan.”

“Mayroon po kaming qualities na pinag-uusapan ni Senator [Panfilo] Lacson na dala-dala namin sa eleksyon na ito. Tatlong ‘K.’ Katapatan. Kakayahan. Katapangan,” he said.

(Senator Lacson and I have three qualities that we bring in this elections. These are honesty, competence, bravery.)

“With these, I believe we will lead by example,” he ended.  —Giselle Ombay, Joahna Lei Casilao, Hana Bordey, Anna Felicia Bajo, Jamil Santos, Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News