Leni Robredo to skip Sona; Rodrigo Duterte, VP Sara Duterte set to attend

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, have confirmed their attendance at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Leni Robredo, the former vice president, however, declined the invitation, according to House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who announced Wednesday that the event would draw over 2,000 attendees.

In an ambush interview with reporters, Velasco said that their guest list is nearly finalized, adding that the House is ready to hold the Sona even if it takes place this Thursday.

“Well we are ready, kahit nga ‘yong Sona gagawin bukas ready na kami, so we’re ready na, almost all the guests, (the) list is complete.  Of course may mga pahabol kasi, you know, and we are prepared for that, ‘yong mga pahabol, ‘yong mga dagdag […] so ina-accommodate naman namin lahat kasi we’re prepared for these contingencies already,” he told reporters.

(Well, we are ready; even if you hold the Sona tomorrow, we are ready. Almost all the guests (the) list is complete.  Of course, some submit at the last minute, and we are prepared for that […] so we accommodated these because we’re prepared for these contingencies already.)

“So over 2,000 na ngayon ‘yong guests namin, and we have some reserved seats pa rin for those who will request us last minute, we are already prepared for these contingencies, so we can accommodate more guests kung kinakailangan.  As I’ve told in one interview, we have reserved a function room for these types of guests na mga may medical condition at saka ‘yong seniors,” he added.

(Our guests are over 2,000 now, and we have some reserved seats for those who will request us at the last minute. We are already prepared for these contingencies to accommodate more guests if needed.  As I said in one interview, we have reserved a function room for these types of guests na mga may medical condition and for seniors.)

The House official also gave an update on VIPs that would attend the Sona, saying that former president  Duterte has confirmed his attendance.  Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara, will also be present.

Velasco said they have invited former vice presidents and Senate presidents.  Former vice president Leni Robredo, Marcos’ opponent in the 2022 national elections, was also invited, but she declined.

As to who would be singing the Philippine National Anthem for the Sona, Velasco said the House, Senate, and the Office of the President preferred to keep it a secret.

For the morning session of the House, a choir from Tacloban, Leyte — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s home province — would be singing the National Anthem.

“Gusto naman nila may excitement. So ano yun, surprise din. Malalaman niyo na (They want some excitement.  So that’s a surprise you’ll eventually know of),” he said.

“‘Yung sa opening ng session meron na, meron na.  We have a choir from Tacloban, from Leyte.  And then even the prayer, ecumenical prayer, ‘yon din isang group of five pastors or priests,” he added.

(For the opening session, we have singers already; we have a choir from Tacloban, Leyte.  And then even the ecumenical prayer is a group of five pastors or priests.)

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