Vice President Sara Duterte and Duterte-allied senators skipped President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
The vice president revealed that she will not be attending as Marcos’ SONA was only a waste of data.
“Sayang ang data. Ayaw ko na rin manood kasi… Nati-trigger ako ‘pag nakikinig ako sa kaniya,” she said.
Before the SONA, the vice president mentioned several issues that she said should be addressed in the president’s speech. Among those she criticized were flood control projects and the country’s debt, which she said continues to swell.
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go revealed that he will not be able to attend the SONA because of severe back pain.
However, he said he would still listen to the message of the President.
“Meron akong severe back spasm na kailangang matingnan agad ng doktor dahil ayaw kong lumala ito at tuluyang makaapekto sa aking trabaho. Wala man ako doon physically, papakinggan ko pa din ang SONA dahil parte naman yun ng responsibilidad ko bilang senador. Nais nating malaman ang mga nagawa ng administrasyon sa nakaraang tatlong taon at patuloy nating susubaybayan ang mga ipinangako ng Pangulo sa taumbayan,” Go said.
Sen. Imee Marcos opted to distribute aid to those affected by the typhoon rather than to attend the SONA of her brother.
According to her, it was more important to prioritize the distribution of NutriBuns and school supplies to children affected by the disaster.
“Hindi ako pupunta dahil abala kami sa pamimigay ng ayuda sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo,” she said.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was also absent during the SONA. The senator had long expressed his intention not to attend as a way of protest.
“Ayokong magpanggap na maayos kami ng administrasyon,” he said.
Sen. Robin Padilla chose not to attend Marcos’ SONA in protest of the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Ang pagdalo sa kanyang SONA ay hindi ko magagawa bilang protesta habang si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay nasa piitan at napipintong husgahan sa isang banyagang hukuman,” Padilla explained.
