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All 3 living ex-presidents to attend SONA 2023

Philippines | National

All 3 living ex-presidents to attend SONA 2023

By Ellson Quismorio

From left to right: Former presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte (Wikipedia, Rep. Arroyo's office, MalacaÃ±ang photo)

All three living past presidents of the Philippines have confirmed their attendance to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24. This, after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told House reporters Wednesday, July 19 that former president Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos' direct predecessor, has confirmed his attendance. Velasco said in a previous interview Monday, July 17 that former presidents Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo would also attend the big event. Arroyo is currently Pampanga's 2nd district representative. She is also a deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, the site of the SONA. Past presidents are treated as VIPs or very important persons during the SONA. Two past Philippine presidents have recently passed away. These are Fidel V. Ramos, who died on July 31, 2022 at the age of 94; and Benigno S. Aquino III, who died on June 24, 2021. Duterte, father of incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte, is 78; Arroyo, a former House Speaker, is 76; and Estrada, a former Manila mayor, is 86.

Related Tags

gloria macapagal-arroyo State of the Nation Address Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. former President Joseph Estrada Rodrigo Duterte

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