Vice President Leni Robredo was once again snubbed by President Duterte as she was not among those invited to physically attend the Chief Executive’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 26.
Robredo, a leader of the opposition, was instead invited to join Duterte’s SONA via Zoom only.
“VP Leni received the invitation to attend the SONA last Friday. Similar to the previous year, she was not asked to be physically present, but to join via Zoom. She will therefore be attending remotely,” her spokesperson and lawyer Barry Gutierrez said on Monday, July 19.
He released the statement amid an earlier report that House of Representatives Secretary-General Mark Llandro Mendoza is waiting for word if the vice president will attend because she was allegedly invited to physically attend the SONA.
In 2020, Malacañang also did not invite Robredo to attend the SONA physically. She attended it virtually, too, along with other dignitaries.
That was the first time the vice president failed to be physically present in the Chief Executive’s SONA since, despite their rocky relationship, she has always attended the SONA.
Unlike in 2020 when Duterte only had about 50 persons in attendance, this year will slightly have more at 350 guests.
READ: SONA to spotlight Duterte’s legacy, plans for final year
This is possible because most of the guests are already fully vaccinated, although they will still adhere to swab testing before entering the venue. Strict physical distancing protocols will also be observed.
The guest list is said to be a mix of family members, lawmakers, Cabinet members, political allies, and dignitaries from the diplomatic corps. Among those expected to be there are former President and now Presidential Adviser on Clark programs and projects Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former House Speakers Pantaleon Alvarez and Alan Peter Cayetano.
Duterte’s last SONA is expected to highlight his administration’s projects under the Build, Build, Build program, as well as the legislative accomplishments of his term.