If Vice President Sara Duterte opts once again to not attend the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos, it's her choice.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Noting that Duterte did not also go to the President's SONA last year, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is already up to the vice president whether she does not want to listen to the programs of the President.
Castro added whatever the vice president decision is, it is no longer the Palace's fault.
“Last year hindi rin naman din po siya dumating. At sa ating pagkakaalam, siya po ay um-attend sa isang kasalan. So, kung hindi po siya a-attend ngayon kahit siya po ay inimbita bilang bise presidente, again, choice niya po iyon (Last year, she didn’t attend either. And as far as we know, she attended a wedding. So if she doesn't attend again now, even if she was invited as the Vice President, again, that’s her choice),” Castro said in a press briefing on Friday, June 20.
“At kung hindi niya po maririnig ang mga programa at kung ano po ang naging trabaho ng gobyerno at ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., hindi na po siguro natin kasalanan iyon; it’s her choice (And if she doesn't get to hear about the programs and the accomplishments of the government and of President Marcos Jr., then perhaps that’s no longer our fault; it’s her choice),” Castro said.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said they have received a note from the Office of the Vice President that Duterte will not be attending Marcos' fourth SONA.