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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Imee Marcos to skip PBBM's SONA, cites 'hurt' over cases filed vs minority

Imee Marcos to skip PBBM's SONA, cites 'hurt' over cases filed vs minority

Published Jul 27, 2026 11:56 am
Senator Imee Marcos will once again skip President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying she remains upset over what she described as the filing of cases and detention of members of the Senate minority.
Members of the Senate minority bloc pose at the rostrum of the Session Hall following the opening of the 20th Congress in Pasay City on Monday. The group also left four seats vacant for absent senators, including Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, and Jinggoy Estrada. (SPPA Pool)
Members of the Senate minority bloc pose at the rostrum of the Session Hall following the opening of the 20th Congress in Pasay City on Monday. The group also left four seats vacant for absent senators, including Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, and Jinggoy Estrada. (SPPA Pool)
Asked on Monday whether she would attend the President's annual address, Marcos replied, "Hindi na siguro" (Probably not).
"Okay lang, pakikinggan. Yun nga lang, masama ang loob namin dahil pinagkukulong, kinakasuhan ang minority. Yun lang, parang di ko kaya eh. Masama ang loob ko diyan (It's fine, I'll listen to it. It's just that we're deeply hurt because members of the minority are being jailed and facing cases. I just don't think I can bring myself to attend. I'm really upset about that)," she told reporters.
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are currently detained, facing plunder raps before the Sandiganbayan.
Clad in black, the presidential sister was also asked if this was a form of protest.
She said her decision should not necessarily be viewed as an organized protest by the minority bloc since both Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano were also seen wearing black, along with Senator Legarda. Marcos stressed there was no agreement among its members either to boycott the SONA or to wear black.
"Hindi, hindi. Nagtanungan nga lang kami ngayon eh. Wala namang usapan na mag-itim, wala namang usapan na hindi sisipot (No, no. We just asked each other about it today. There was no agreement to wear black, and there was no agreement not to attend)," she said.
Marcos also explained her decision to wear black, saying it was consistent with the campaign color and slogan she adopted during the 2025 elections.
"Last year, itim din ako. 'Yung election campaign ko, ITIM (Last year, 'itim' was my thing. My election campaign was ITIM)," she said.
She reiterated her campaign slogan, saying, "Ilaban ang tama, itama ang mali," adding that there are still "so many things that still need to be corrected".
When asked whether wearing black symbolized mourning for the country, Marcos replied in the affirmative, while emphasizing that the color has long been associated with her political campaign and advocacy.
The senator stated that several colleagues may also skip the event, mentioning Senators Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Robin Padilla as among those she believes might not attend, although she said she was not certain

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minority bloc imee marcos State of the Nation Address (SONA) SONA
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