Aquino to skip Duterte’s SONA again

Former President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will be skipping President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) for the third time, the House of Representatives’ Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Special Affairs Bureau (IPRSAB) disclosed Monday.

It has been a tradition and protocol to invite former presidents and national officials during an incumbent president’s national address.

The IPRSAB meanwhile confirmed that Vice President Leni Robredo would be attending Duterte’s third Sona on July 23.

“VP Leni is attending SONA; Pres Aquino already sent regrets,” it said in a message to reporters.

The office said 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 Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. have confirmed their attendance on July 23.   /kga

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