Malacañang has shrugged off the decision of several senators to skip President Marcos' fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, saying their absence would not affect the administration.

Speaking to reporters at the Batasang Pambansa before the President's annual address, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President was the one who mattered during the event.

"Hindi naman sila kawalan (They are not a loss),” she said.

“Ang Pangulo po ang importante dito at yung mga opisyal na interesadong makinig sa Pangulo (What is important here is the President and the officials who are interested in listening to him)," she added.

Castro said officials who were unwilling to listen to the President should not be compelled to attend

"So yung mga ibang opisyal na wala namang balak makinig sa Pangulo ay hindi natin pipilitin (Those officials who have no intention of listening to the President will not be forced),” she said.

"Kung mas gusto nilang mas magbakasyon, mag-ibang bansa, hindi natin sila mapipilit (If they would rather go on vacation or travel abroad, we cannot force them)," she added.

Her remarks came after several senators publicly announced they would skip this year's SONA, including Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who said he would instead watch the speech on television as a form of protest and deliver a "kontra-SONA" the following day.

Senators Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos and Robin Padilla also confirmed they would not attend, while Imee Marcos said Sen. Loren Legarda would likewise be absent.

Vice President Sara Duterte would also be absent as she remained abroad, marking the fourth consecutive year she has skipped President Marcos' annual SONA.