đź“·Former Vice President Leni Robredo
Three previous vice presidents will be skipping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for the House of Representatives this coming July 22.
The three former Vice Presidents who will skip the event – according to House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco – are Leni Robredo, Jejomar Binay, and Noli de Castro.
Robredo served as the Vice President from 2016 to 2022; Binay, from 2010 to 2016; and De Castrom from 2004 to 2010.
In an interview on Tuesday, July 9, Velasco Robredo and Binay have officially expressed their regrets regarding the House’s invite for the SONA.
Regarding De Castro, Velasco said that he had already made the decision to skip the SONA. But the Secretary-General said the ex-Vice President still has to send his formal response.
Velasco also mentioned that the House of Representatives is still awaiting the reaction from the office of Vice President Sara Duterte, who recently left Marcos’ Cabinet.
“We are still waiting for confirmation from the Vice President… We are all inviting these former Presidents, former Vice Presidents, former senate presidents and former speakers. So far, we have not received confirmation from the former President Duterte,” Velasco said.
“Alam mo naman, wala naman pilitan dito sa SONA eh. It’s based on your desire whether you want or you don’t want,” he added.
The House Secretary General mentioned that 99 percent of those invited to the SONA this year have confirmed their attendance.
Velasco said the confirmation of attendance for this year’s SONA lapsed last June 25.
However, they allow VIPs—very important persons—who can confirm their attendance at the last minute. (TCSP)
