Lawmaker to Sara Duterte: Attend Sona or explain reason for absence

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Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte was urged by a lawmaker on Saturday to attend President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 22 “out of respect.”

According to Tingog Partylist Representative Jude Acidre, this was in courtesy to their camaraderie.

“Out of respect for President Marcos, she should attend. It’s as if they never had any camaraderie. She should not deny this simple courtesy to our President,” Acidre was quoted as saying in a statement.

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

He added that Duterte should explain her reason for her non-attendance.

“At the very least, she should come clean and explain why she can’t or does not want to attend,” he added.

On July 11, Duterte said that she will not attend the Sona, and has appointed herself as “designated survivor.”

READ: Lacson says Designated Survivor Bill a constitutional mandate

In other countries, a designated survivor is an official who is kept apart from other top government officials during a significant event to ensure the continuity of government in case an adverse event occurs.

However, the Philippines does not have a law mandating a designated survivor.

In 2019, former Senator Panfilo Lacson filed a bill which gives the president the power to name one, but as of writing, it still pending in the Senate.