Imee Marcos, Duterte-allied senators skip SONA

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senators Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Bong Go, and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa will not attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28.

After attending the Senate’s first regular session for the 20th Congress, the presidential sister said she will prioritize the distribution of Nutribun at a school in Parañaque scheduled on the same day.

Marcos also confirmed that other senators from the Duterte bloc have agreed to skip the president’s speech at 4 p.m.

In a social media post, Padilla said his decision to skip the SONA is his form of protest for the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague due to crimes against humanity charges.

“Ang pagdalo sa kanyang SONA ay hindi ko magagawa bilang protesta habang si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ay nasa piitan at napipintong husgahan sa isang banyagang hukuman,” Padilla said.

[Translation: I cannot attend his SONA in protest while former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is in prison and about to be tried in a foreign court.]

Meanwhile, Go said he cannot attend due to “severe back spasms” that need to be urgently checked by a doctor.

“Wala man ako doon physically, papakinggan ko pa din ang SONA dahil parte naman ‘yun ng responsibilidad ko bilang senador,” he said in a statement.

[Translation: Even though I'm not there physically, I will still listen to the SONA because it's part of my responsibility as a senator.]

Dela Rosa, who was present during the Senate session, has yet to explain his absence in the SONA.

Apart from the four senators, Vice President Sara Duterte will also not attend Marcos’ SONA for a second time.