VP Duterte, Imee Marcos, Duterte allies in Senate skip SONA 2025
Several politicians have decided to skip President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28 at Batasang Pambansa.
This year's SONA was kept simple, skipping the usual red carpet following the typhoon and habagat that caused severe flooding in many areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Missing at the 2025 SONA are Duterte-allied senators, as well as Vice President Sara Duterte, who has been absent for two consecutive years.
Vice President Sara Duterte
Duterte said in June that she is skipping the SONA again because she doesn't think Marcos "will be providing anything substantial about our country."
She reiterated this on July 27 in Seoul, South Korea, where she participated in a rally calling for the release of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. The elder Duterte is detained in The Hague, Netherlands, for his alleged crimes against humanity in connection to his bloody war on drugs.
“Sayang ang data. Ayaw ko na rin manood kasi… Nati-trigger ako 'pag nakikinig ako sa kanya. Babasahin ko na lang. Kailangan natin magbasa, kasi kailangan natin malaman kung ano na namang pambobola ang sinasabi sa taong bayan,” she said.
Duterte was also absent during the third SONA last year, in which she appointed herself as the “designated survivor.”
Sen. Bato Dela Rosa
Sen. Bato Dela Rosa will also skip this year's SONA for the second time.
“Ayaw ko magkipag-plastikan. Alangan naman pupunta 'ko doon na nakasimangot. Pangit, diba? Alangan naman pupunta ko doon na pa-smile-smile kahit na masama ang loob 'ko sa kanila,” the senator told reporters.
"Hindi naman lahat ng Congressman, pero may mga Congressman doon na masama ang loob ko at mayroon ding mga tao sa Malacañang na masama ang loob ko. So, bakit ako makipag-plastikan?” he added.
In 2024, Dela Rosa did not disclose the reason why he was absent during the third SONA, but shared that he might skip it due to his knee pain.
Sen. Imee Marcos
Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos said on July 28 that she and the Duterte bloc agreed to skip the fourth SONA.
“Nakiki-isa lamang ako sa Duterte Bloc po...nag-usap-usap po kami na hindi talaga pupunta,” said Imee.
“Ako personally ayaw ko pumunta kasi may napakaraming dapat gawin na para sa akin, urgent and important,” she added.
On Facebook, the senator said she went straight to an elementary school in Parañaque to distribute school supplies, Nutribuns, and arroz caldo after the Senate opened session.
Sen. Bong Go
Sen. Bong Go will also skip the SONA for the second time due to his severe back spasm, which he said needs medical assistance.
"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," he said.
Last year, he was absent because he underwent a medical examination. He watched the third SONA instead via a live stream.
Sen. Robin Padilla
Meanwhile, Sen. Robin Padilla said his absence was his form of "protest" while former president Duterte is still detained at The Hague.
"Walang pulitika, walang personalan, kundi naninindigan at nagmamahal sa bayan," he wrote, adding that he and Marcos share the same support for laws recognizing the culture, tradition, and faith of the Muslim community.
“Ngunit 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," he added.
Padilla is among the senators who pushed for the probe into the arrest of the former president.
