'Premature' to talk about Sara Duterte's replacement, Deputy Speaker Garin says

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House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Saturday said discussions on the possible replacement for Sara Duterte as the country's vice president are too early to be held amid her ongoing impeachment trial.

"For me, it's very premature to talk about who the next Vice President will be," Garin said at a news forum in Quzon City.

"It's not yet the time to talk about that kasi dapat tignan muna 'yung impeachment. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na talagang mai-impeach na si vice president," she said.

(It's not yet the time to talk about that because the focus should be on the impeachment trial. We cannot say for sure that she will be convicted.)

"Itong lahat ay depende sa senator-judges at depende sa kampo niya kung masasagot ang mga katanungan," she added.

(This all depends on the senator-judges, and her camp if they will be able to answer the questions raised.)

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has not discussed or considered a replacement for the vice president.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano earlier urged fellow senators to decline any potential offers for the vice presidency should Duterte be convicted.

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero previously declared he would refuse the post due to a conflict of interest as a senator-judge.

Under the 1987 Constitution, if the vice presidency becomes vacant, the President nominates a new Vice President who must then be confirmed by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

"Just in case mayroon nang annointed then we cross the bridge when it comes," Garin said.

Duterte's spokesperson Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. earlier said the focus should be on questions involving the fairness of the Senate impeachment court, the constitutionality of the conviction threshold, and alleged due process violations. He likewise said it was premature to discuss about replacements for the vice president. — VDV, GMA News