Sara Duterte to skip Marcos' Sona: I'm the designated survivor

A first: Sara to skip Marcos’ Sona, names self ‘designated survivor’

By: - Reporter / @luisacabatoINQ
/ 01:25 PM July 11, 2024

Highlights: Sona 2024

 Duterte on not attending Sona

Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22, 2024. She did not offer any reason nor explanation for her plan to skip Marcos’ upcoming Sona during an ambush interview on the sidelines of the Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopmental Center Inauguration in Davao City on Thursday, July 11, 2024. | PHOTO: Official Facebook apge of Inday Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22, and named herself the “designated survivor.”

Duterte’s decision to not show up at Marcos’ third Sona is a first since their tandem won the 2022 election.

Article continues after this advertisement

“No, I will not attend the Sona,” Duterte said in an ambush interview Thursday on the sidelines of the Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopmental Center Inauguration in Davao City.

FEATURED STORIES

She also said: “I am appointing myself as the designated survivor.”

A “designated survivor” is a US government official chosen to stay at a secure location during events where top leaders are gathered. This ensures continuity of government in case a catastrophic event kills or incapacitates the president, vice president, and other top officials.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: VP Duterte no-show at opening of 64th Palarong Pambansa

Article continues after this advertisement

There is no such position yet in the Philippines, but former Senator Panfilo Lacson filed a bill in 2019 authorizing the President to name a designated survivor.

Article continues after this advertisement

But the Vice President did not offer any reason or explanation for her plan to skip Marcos’ upcoming Sona during the ambush interview, which video was distributed to media members by the Office of the Vice President on Thursday.

READ: VP Duterte: My priority now is DepEd transition, not politics

Last Tuesday, July 9, Duterte did not attend the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City led by Marcos.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said Duterte skipped the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 to visit sick athletes.

“Ang alam ko po bumisita ang ating Vice President sa mga Palaro athletes na na-confine sa hospital ngayong hapon to boost their morale,” Poa said in a Viber message sent to reporters also last Tuesday.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

(What I do know is that our Vice President visited the Palaro athletes confined to the hospital this afternoon to boost their morale.)

Last month, Duterte stepped down as DepEd chief and vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Her resignation will take effect on July 19, and she will be by Senator Sonny Angara as education secretary.

Visit our Sona 2024 live coverage to stay updated with the latest #SONA2024 news and stories.
TAGS: Bongbong Marcos, Sara Duterte, Sona

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.