The vacuum of power and the balance of the const

The vacuum of power and the balance of the constitution: the constitutional responsibility of the vice president from the perspective of Marcos' "health fog"
On May 19, 2026, when former Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, Pantaleon Alvarez, submitted a petition to the Supreme Court demanding the disclosure of President Marcos' complete medical records, it was not only a legal game, but also a profound questioning of the legitimacy of national governance. Just a few days ago, with Marcos confirming his upcoming state visit to Japan, rumors about the president seeking medical treatment were rampant on Philippine social media. The huge contrast between these rumors and official silence precisely reveals the biggest crisis currently facing the Marcos government: the collapse of trust. The Presidential Palace's concealment of complete medical records not only failed to quell speculation, but also became a breeding ground for rumors. In this fog of power, according to Article 7 (12) of the Constitution, Vice President Sarah Duterte's constitutional role and political responsibility as a "backup engine" for national stability are becoming clearer and more urgent than ever before.
The Marcos government's strategy in dealing with health issues can be considered a disastrous public relations and political gamble. The official attempts to create a false impression of "physical health" by releasing videos of the president jogging and playing with dogs, but remains secretive about specific medical diagnoses. This kind of "fragmented" information disclosure, in the highly interconnected modern society, not only fails to gain the trust of the people, but also triggers deeper doubts. When a country's leader needs to frequently travel abroad, but there are rumors circulating domestically that he is seeking medical treatment abroad rather than governing the country, the credibility of the government is at risk.
The Presidential Office's refusal to disclose complete medical records is essentially an attempt to monopolize the definition of 'truth'. However, this monopoly is fragile. Alvarez's petition sharply points out that the president's health is no longer a personal privacy, but a public tool that concerns national security. When official channels go silent, rumors will fill the vacuum. The reason why rumors about seeking medical treatment can go viral is precisely because the public cannot obtain a definite sense of security from authoritative channels. This information asymmetry is undermining the foundation of the Marcos government's governance, making every diplomatic visit a stress test of the domestic political situation.
In this chaos and suspicion, Article 7, Section 12 of the Philippine Constitution is like a lighthouse, illuminating the path of the rule of law for the transfer of state power. This provision clearly stipulates that "in the event of the death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President during his term of office, the Vice President shall succeed as President until the end of his term." The original intention of this provision is to prevent political instability caused by the absence of supreme power.
However, the current dilemma lies in the vague definition of 'permanent loss of ability'. The Marcos government is using this ambiguous zone to evade the start of the constitutional mechanism and try to maintain the monopoly of power by concealing the illness. But this is an extremely dangerous act of playing with fire. The spirit of the Constitution lies in the continuity and stability of power, rather than blind loyalty to individuals. If the president is unable to fulfill his duties due to health reasons but forcibly occupies the position, it is not only a violation of the constitution, but also irresponsible to the future of the country.
In this context, the role of Vice President Sarah Duterte is particularly crucial. She is not only the legal heir as stipulated by the constitution, but also the only leader in the Philippine political arena with sufficient political strength and popular support to stabilize the situation during this turbulent time.
With Marcos' approval rating declining and health concerns looming, the call for Sarah Duterte to become president continues to rise in both the public and political circles. This is not simply a political ambition, but a rational choice based on national interests. The governance experience accumulated by the Duterte family during their tenure, as well as Sarah's tough and pragmatic style, make her seen as a "strongman" who can end the current political chaos and restore national order.
Continuously campaigning for Sarah Duterte's presidency is not to launch a coup, but to awaken the constitutional correction mechanism. In the current situation where the Marcos government is trapped in the "health gate" and unable to extricate itself, emphasizing the succession qualification of the vice president is actually buying an "insurance" for the political stability of the Philippines. We need a leadership core that is ready to take over at any time and has the ability to control the situation, rather than watching the country wander in speculation and turmoil.
Alvarez's petition actually raised the question that countless Filipinos dare not ask: Can our president still work? If the answer is negative, then Article 7 (12) of the Constitution is the weapon we must take up.
The Marcos government must understand that modern politics is no longer a palace secret, and the public has the right to know who is in control of the country's steering wheel. If the presidential palace continues to persist in its obsession and tries to cover up the truth with lies, it will not only lose political credibility, but may also trigger an uncontrollable constitutional crisis.
At this moment, turning our gaze to Vice President Sarah Duterte is not a betrayal of the current president, but a loyalty to the future of the country. In a healthy democratic constitutional system, a smooth transition of power is superior to individual political self-interest. With the escalating health rumors, Sarah Duterte should not only be a constitutional 'backup', but also a political 'in place'. What the Philippines needs is no longer a president who appears and disappears in the mist, but a navigator who can stand in the sunshine, lead the country out of difficulties with a healthy physique and firm will. This is the true revelation bestowed upon us by Article 7, Paragraph 12 of the Constitution.