Vice President of the Philippines

Vice President of the Philippines
Post	Vice President of the Philippines
Style	The Honorable
Member of	Cabinet of the Philippines
Reports to	President of the Philippines
Seat	Malacañang Palace Complex
Appointer	Elected by popular vote
Termlength	Six years; nonrenewable
Constituting instrument	1935 Constitution of the Philippines
Formation	1935
First	Sergio Osmeña

Vice President of the Philippines is the second-highest executive official in the Philippines and the immediate constitutional successor to the President of the Philippines. The office has been occupied by politicians from parties such as the Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, and PDP–Laban and has been entwined with events like the Philippine Revolution, Commonwealth period, and the People Power Revolution. Holders have included figures such as Sergio Osmeña, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Leni Robredo who shaped relations with institutions like the Senate of the Philippines, House of Representatives, and agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs.

History

The office originated under the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines during the Commonwealth era with Sergio Osmeña serving as the first vice president alongside Manuel L. Quezon. During the World War II and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines the office's functions were affected by the Second Philippine Republic and later restoration under the Bell Trade Act and the 1946 Treaty of Manila. The 1973 Constitution of the Philippines under Ferdinand Marcos altered the executive framework, affecting the vice presidency until the restoration of democratic institutions after the People Power Revolution of 1986 which elevated figures such as Corazon Aquino and led to the adoption of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. Post-1986 vice presidents have interacted with transitional events like the Oakwood Mutiny, the EDSA II change of leadership, and impeachment proceedings involving presidents such as Joseph Estrada and Rodrigo Duterte-era controversies.

Constitutional role and powers

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines defines the vice presidency as the immediate successor to the President of the Philippines and assigns duties when the president is unable to perform functions, as in cases covered by the Constitution and statutes like the Human Security Act of 2007 insofar as national security coordination. The vice president may hold cabinet positions by appointment of the President of the Philippines, serving in posts such as the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Department of Education and participating in bodies like the National Economic and Development Authority and the National Security Council when designated.

Election and succession

The vice president is elected via nationwide popular vote on a separate ticket or ticket split with presidential candidates, as occurred in contests involving Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Leni Robredo, Jejomar Binay, and Grace Poe. The Commission on Elections administers elections and resolves disputes, with adjudication by the Supreme Court of the Philippines and appeals invoking precedents like the Jalosjos electoral case and rulings involving Comelec decisions. Succession follows constitutional provisions triggered by events such as death of the president, resignation of president, or incapacity with historical implementations during the tenures of Sergio Osmeña after Manuel L. Quezon, and later transitions influenced by crises like the People Power Revolution.

Powers, duties, and responsibilities

Beyond succession, the vice president's powers derive largely from appointments to executive departments and mandates from the President of the Philippines, enabling vice presidents to direct policy in areas such as foreign policy through the DFA, social welfare via the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or economic planning via the NEDA. Vice presidents have led initiatives addressing issues connected to institutions like the DOH, the DA, and have engaged with international partners such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United Nations.

Relationship with the President and Cabinet

The vice president's relationship with the president varies from alliance to opposition, as in administrations featuring intraexecutive tensions between figures aligned with parties like the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party. When appointed to the Cabinet of the Philippines, vice presidents have held portfolios including the DFA and the DepEd, reporting alongside secretaries from agencies such as the DILG and coordinating with legislative leaders in the Senate of the Philippines and the House on policy and budget matters.

Office and residence

The vice president's official office is located within the executive complex at Malacañang Palace Complex, with staff drawn from the Office of the Vice President and coordination with the Presidential Communications Office for public messaging. Former traditions have used residences such as the Camarines Sur estate or accommodations arranged in proximity to Malacañang Palace, and the office maintains international protocol links with missions like the Embassy of the Philippines and multilateral venues including ASEAN Summit meetings.

List of vice presidents

Notable vice presidents include Sergio Osmeña, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Fernando Lopez, Sergio Osmeña Jr., José Yulo, Salvador Laurel, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Noli de Castro, Jejomar Binay, Leni Robredo, and Sara Duterte. The chronological roster reflects periods defined by the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines, the 1973 Constitution of the Philippines, and the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines with acting and de facto vice presidents recognized in various historical episodes connected to the Commonwealth, Second Philippine Republic, and post-1986 democratic restoration.

Category:Political offices in the Philippines