Palace on Aquino’s absence during Duterte’s Sona: That’s his decision

Malacañang does not care if former President Benigno Aquino III would again skip the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 23.

When asked if the Palace “cares” about the decision of Aquino to skip Duterte’s third Sona, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message on Monday said, “No. That’s his decision.”

On Monday, the House of Representatives’ Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Special Affairs Bureau (IPRSAB) said Aquino has informed them that he would not be attending the President’s Sona.

READ: Aquino to skip Duterte’s SONA again

The IPRSAB said that as of now, only former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Ejercito-Estrada, and former Senate presidents Juan Ponce Enrile, Aquilino Pimentel III, and Manny Villar and former House speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. have confirmed their attendance on July 23.

Aquino also skipped the first two Sonas of Duterte.

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