Cayetanos, Imee, Robin, Legarda to skip Sona

MANILA, Philippines – Some minority bloc senators said they will not be physically attending President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday afternoon.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, in an interview, was the first to announce that he may not attend, saying it may be more comfortable for the administration.

“I think I’d prefer to just watch it on TV. Maybe the administration is more comfortable that way and it’s my simple way of protesting,” Cayetano said partly in Filipino.

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Sen. Pia Cayetano’s office also confirmed through a text message that she will not be attending the annual event.

In a separate interview, Sen. Imee Marcos, sister of the president, said she will not attend the Sona, but will listen to it.

“I’ll be okay to listen. We just feel bad because the minority is being imprisoned, prosecuted,” Sen. Marcos said.

She added that other members of the minority, particularly Sens. Robin Padilla and Loren Legarda, might also skip the event. /gsg

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