LIST: Politicians who skipped Marcos' 5th SONA
More than half of the Senate was absent from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 27.
Most of those who skipped the event, held at the Batasang Pambansa complex, belong to the Senate minority, while others were unable to attend due to various circumstances. Here's a rundown of the politicians and lawmakers who did not attend the SONA.
Vice President Sara Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte has consistently skipped the SONA since her falling out with her former running mate.
On July 21, Duterte announced that she is on an overseas trip covering Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. She also hasn't appeared in any of her impeachment trials.
Minority senators
Despite attending the Senate's morning session, most members of the upper chamber's minority skipped the president's SONA. This includes Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano, senators Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, Mark Villar, and Bong Go.
Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada were also unable to attend, as they are detained for plunder, while Sen. Bato dela Rosa remains in hiding to evade an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Only Sen. Camille Villar attended the SONA from the minority bloc.
Sen. Alan Peter explained that he'd personally rather just "watch it on TV."
"Personally, I’d rather just watch it on TV. I think the administration would probably be more comfortable with that arrangement as well,” he told reporters in an interview.
During the Senate session, the Cayetano siblings, Imee, and Legarda wore black attire. For Alan Peter, this was his "simple way of protesting," he said.
For her part, Imee shared she would skip her brother's SONA over the arrests of her fellow minority senators.
"Masama ang loob namin kasi pinagkukulong, kinakasuhan ang minority. ’Yun lang, parang di ko kaya," she said.
On the other hand, Padilla told reporters that he had a family affair to attend and that his absence was not a protest. He even called Marcos his "friend," whom he didn't want to offend.
"Mas ma-o-offend ko ang kaibigan ko, ang pangulo ng Pilipinas, kung pumapalakpak lahat, tapos ako hindi. Ayokong gawin 'yun sa kanya. Kaibigan ko 'yun eh."
Sotto, Lacson, Aquino
A few members of the majority were also no-shows at the SONA, including Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto, who told reporters in a text message that he was ill.
"Bad colds. I don’t want to contaminate others. Taking meds [through] IV so I can work tomorrow," he said.
Senators Ping Lacson and Bam Aquino were likewise absent.
Rep. Pulong Duterte
Like his sister, Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has consistently skipped the President's SONA.
However, he made a statement criticizing Marcos after the afternoon affair.
"Hindi simpatiya para sa mga makapangyarihan ang hinihingi ng taumbayan. Ang hinihingi nila ay katotohanan, pananagutan, at hustisya," he wrote.
