LIST: Notable politicians who skipped SONA 2024
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22.
This year’s SONA is expected to have the highest number of attendees with over 2,000 guests confirmed. Usually, it is attended by the Vice President, lawmakers Cabinet members, diplomats, local officials, and special guests.
However, there were a few names who skipped the event at the Batasang Pambansa Complex for various reasons. Here are some of them.
Vice President Sara Duterte
One key person who skipped SONA 2024 is Vice President Sara Duterte. She disclosed her absence from the event and appointed herself as the "designated survivor" during an interview with the press at the inauguration of the Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopment Center at a hospital in Davao City on Thursday, July 11.
"I will not attend the SONA... I am appointing myself as the designated survivor," she said during that time.
Duterte's remark elicited various reactions, some of which said that the former's comment was not in "good taste."
Nonetheless, she remained firm. She also clarified that her statement wasn't a joke nor a bomb threat and that she doesn't need to explain herself to anyone.
On the day of the SONA, Valiente News shared a statement saying that the vice president is currently in Bohol to show support to its citizens amid the death of Vice Governor Aris Aumentado and that she will not be watching on the television or other gadgets.
"The Vice President will not watch the SONA on TV or gadgets. She is currently in Bohol to empathize with the Boholanos for the death of their Vice Governor, as well as to uplift the general mood of the people brought about by the suspension of their duly-elected local officials," the statement read.
In 2023, Vice President Duterte sat beside First Lady Liza Marcos during President Marcos' second SONA.
Rodrigo Duterte
From one Duterte to another, former president Rodrigo Duterte also skipped the annual event.
In an ambush interview with reporters, Senator Bong Go said the former chief executive would not attend this year's SONA as the latter would be in Davao City.
"I'm not sure. I think he came from China. He's kind of tired. He's in Davao," Go told reporters.
In 2023, Rodrigo Duterte also missed the event.
Former vice presidents
Former vice presidents Leni Robredo, Jejomar Binay, and Noli de Castro also skipped this year's SONA, House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco confirmed this earlier this month.
"[Former] VP Robredo sent regrets [that she can't attend], as well as former VP Binay," Velasco told reporters.
Robredo served as vice president from 2016 to 2022 under Duterte's administration, while Binay served from 2010 to 2016 under the late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Velasco also said in July that De Castro, who served as vice president from 2004 to 2010 under the term of former President Gloria Arroyo, would not also attend the event.
"We were told by VP Noli's staff that he won't be able to attend, but he is yet to make it official," he added.
Duterte Allies
While they attended the opening of the third regular session of the 19th Congress, Senators Go and Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, who are known as the former president's allies, also missed the event.
On Facebook, Go posted a video of himself at a health facility, where a healthcare worker evaluated him before drawing blood samples. He mentioned that he was going through a thorough medical examination. As support, he watched SONA 2024 via live streaming.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bato has not yet released a statement explaining why he did not attend the event. However, in a previous interview, the senator said that his knee pain could have prevented him from attending the third state of the nation.
"Baka hindi ako makalakad-lakad doon sa loob. Titingnan ko lang din ha, titingnan ko. Kung hindi, baka hindi ako maka-attend," he said.