QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9072)
It applies when neither the President-elect nor Vice-President-elect has qualified; or upon removal, death, or resignation of both President and Vice-President; or upon their inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office of President.
The President of the Senate acts as President; if none, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives; if none, then the Senator or Representative elected by the Members of Congress in joint session.
The President of the Senate acts as President, unless there is none or he is removed, dies, resigns, or is unable to act—in which case the next in the order assumes.
First: President of the Senate; second: Speaker of the House of Representatives; third: the Senator or Representative elected by the Members of Congress in joint session.
If the President of the Senate is removed, dies, resigns, or is unable to act, the Speaker of the House acts as President; if none or also unable, then the elected member from joint session acts.
If the Speaker is removed, dies, resigns, or is unable to act as President, then the Senator or Representative elected by the Members of Congress in joint session acts as President until the appropriate persons qualify or disability is removed.
He acts as President of the Philippines as successor in the order specified when prior officers are unavailable or unable to act.
Until the President or President-elect or Vice-President or Vice-President-elect shall have qualified; until their disability is removed; or until a President shall have been elected and qualified.
It sets a time limit for the acting President’s tenure—his role ends once the disability of the President/President-elect or Vice-President/Vice-President-elect is lifted and they can qualify or resume duties.
Commonwealth Act No. 68 and Executive Order No. 390 are repealed by Section 2 of RA 181.
RA 181 covers both situations where the office is not yet filled (no qualification by the President-elect/Vice-President-elect) and situations affecting already-qualified officials (removal, death, resignation, or inability).
No. RA 181 provides an internal order of succession: President of the Senate, then Speaker of the House, then a Senator or Representative elected by joint session if needed.
It contemplates simultaneous (or combined) circumstances affecting both offices—if both are removed, die, or resign, the acting President steps in according to the succession order.
It takes effect upon its approval.