House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has said he respects the decision of Vice President Sara Duterte not to attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
“Every public official has the prerogative to decide on their attendance at significant events. However, the SONA is a crucial moment for unity and collaboration among our nation’s leaders. It is a time to reflect on our progress, address challenges, and outline our vision for the future,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“Our constituents deserve to see their leaders united and focused on the collective good. Despite the Vice President’s absence, the House of Representatives remains committed to working with all branches of government to ensure that (the President’s) SONA reflects our collective efforts to improve the lives of Filipinos. Unity and collaboration will continue to guide us forward,” he added.
Duterte earlier said she will not attend the SONA, marking her first absence from the event since assuming the vice presidency in 2022 and following her Education Secretary resignation from the Marcos Cabinet in June.
“I am appointing myself as the designated survivor,” she said at the time.
Her statement has since drawn controversy from lawmakers, among others.
“Who appointed you? This is delulu behavior,” Rep. Raoul Manuel of party-list Kabataan said in reaction to the designated survivor quote, which critics have said is tantamount to a bomb joke.
“She is no alternative or back-up leader when the only legacy she has proven to Filipinos is her confidential funds racket and the thousands of victims of her family’s fake war on drugs,” he added.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua likewise cautioned the Vice President that the security of the President is no joke.
“I appreciate Vice President Sara Duterte’s humor when she said, ‘I am appointing myself as the Designated Survivor’ when she said she is not attending the joint session of Congress for the third SONA of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Chua said.
“However, given current political tensions, such a joke is not in good taste because the security of the President of the Philippines is not a joking or laughing matter. Great care is taken to ensure the security of the President, especially during the SONA,” he added.
Strictly speaking, the lawmaker-lawyer said Duterte does not have that appointing power for a designated survivor because it is the 1987 Constitution that designates the Vice as the first next-in-line to succeed the President
