San Jose del Monte City lone district Rep. Florida "Rida" Robes (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)

San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida "Rida" Robes is accusing Vice President Sara Duterte of trying to "boycott" and inject "politics" into President Marcos' upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22. 

This, after the Vice President told reporters Thursday, July 11 that he would skip the event. 

The Mindanaoan even joked that she was the "designated survivor" of the SONA, which suggested that something disaster could happen that day in Batasang Pambansa Complex. 

“There have been many instances in the past when the President and Vice President came from opposing parties, but disagreements are shelved aside for a day when the President renders an accounting of the state of the nation,” Robes said in a statement Thursday night. 

“Boycotting the SONA is not bravery. It is cowardice. Skipping it is  not sending a strong statement.  It is injecting politics in an event where the people expect all their leaders , the entire officialdom, to be present for a constitutionally ordained event,” the Bulacan solon added as she minced no words. 

As for the Vice President's joke, Robes said that it was "done in poor taste". She said such joke could be expected "from a marites, and not from the second highest official of the land". 
 

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https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/11/vp-sara-s-designated-survivor-joke-not-in-good-taste-says-manila-solon

"Marites" is a derogatory term for someone who loves to gossip and and nothing productive. 

Robes further slammed Vice President Duterte's supposed lack of decorum, and said that “decorum does not require her to applaud the President’s speech, but to appear in Congress when it is delivered". 

The SONA is held annually at Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, home of the House of Representatives. 

Robes, a veteran lawmaker, chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.