Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN, Facebook)

House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe has called out Vice President Sara Duterte for her silence on President Marcos' major pronouncements in his State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

"While everyone is cheering the President for his decisive actions on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), Vice President Duterte's lack of response is indeed troubling," Dalipe said in a statement Thursday, July 25. 

During his SONA, President Marcos reiterated his administration's strong and unwavering position on protecting the country's sovereignty in the WPS as well as his decision to end POGO operations in the Philippines due to their negative social and economic impacts. 

"We should all be on the same boat in supporting the President, especially in relation to the West Philippine Sea issue and the controversies surrounding the POGO operations in the country," Dalipe stated. 

The Vice President skipped the SONA, which was held last Monday, July 22 at Batasang Pambansa Complex. Then, on Wednesday morning, July 24, she and her family reportedly left for Germany. 

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"President Marcos made brave and bold pronouncements during his SONA that were met with widespread approval and applause from the nation. Yet, the Vice-President's utter silence on these crucial issues raises questions about her loyalty to the country," the majority leader from Mindanao noted. 

Vice President Duterte, daughter of administration critic former president Rodrigo Duterte, has never made strong statements on the WPS or POGO issues. 

"Her silence not only undermines the collective efforts of our government but also casts doubt on her commitment to the nation's best interests," Dalipe said.