President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. greets Vice President Sara Duterte during the Commencement Exercises of the PMA Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 in Fort Gen. Gregorio H. Del Pilar, in Baguio City on May 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte's remark of appointing herself as the "designated survivor" should not be taken seriously after some critics believed the "joke" was in bad taste.

• VP Sara Duterte to skip Marcos SONA

Duterte made the remark while explaining her decision to skip President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.

But Senate President Francis Escudero urged people not to overthink Duterte's announcement.

"I believe she does not want to attend SONA 2024… I guess she was simply making light of her excuse by quoting a Netflix series. Personally, I won't give any special or deeper meaning to it," Escudero said.

• VP Duterte's 'designated survivor' quip 'highlights need for law'

The Netflix series of the same title follows a cabinet member who was designated to skip the US President’s State of the Union Address to make sure there is someone in charge in case the entire US Federal government is wiped out, which happened in the plot of the show.

Former Sen. Panfilo Lacson defended Duterte and said she was in fact the legal successor of the President in case of a tragedy.

"Nanunukso lang yan, rhetorical ang statement. After all hindi siya kailangang i-appoint kasi nandiyan na siya, number 1 sa listahan ng succession," Lacson said.

Duterte left the Marcos cabinet last June after months of tension between the 2 powerful political clans—and less then a year before the crucial 2025 midterm vote.

• 'Nabasag 'yung UniTeam': Duterte resignation saddens lawmaker

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