Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos said they are skipping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.

“Baka mas [It could be more] comfortable rin ang [as well for the] administration that way and it’s my simple way of protesting,” Cayetano said, adding that he will monitor the speech remotely.

The lawmaker has grown increasingly vocal against the administration, pointing to what he described as the “erosion of democracy” and accusing the government of weaponizing legal charges against political opponents and critics.

Cayetano cited the recent arrests of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, who are both facing plunder charges over alleged undeclared 2025 campaign contributions and their supposed involvement in the flood control kickback scandal.

Meanwhile, Marcos said she is against the arrest of colleagues.

“Masama ang loob namin dahil pinakulong, kinasuhan and minority,” she said. “I think marami sa amin hindi pupunta. Pero last year di na rin ako pumunta talaga.”

[Translation: We feel aggrieved because members of the minority were arrested and charged. I think many of us are not attending. I didn’t attend as well last year.]

Marcos clarified that the minority bloc did not discuss or coordinate their actions

At the morning opening session in the Senate, Cayetano was in black as well as his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, and Marcos.

He still urged Filipinos from all political sides to watch and stay informed about the president’s address.