Sara Duterte on 'designated survivor' remark: 'Not a joke, not a bomb threat'
Vice President Sara Duterte has commented on her "designated survivor" remark and her skipping President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s upcoming State of the Nation Address.
Duterte previously told members of the media that she would be absent from the July 22 event and was quoted as saying, "I will not attend the SONA... I am appointing myself as the designated survivor."
The Vice President commented anew on her absence at the upcoming event as she addressed members of the media at the Brigada Eskwela National Kickoff in Cebu on July 17.
"Ngayon lang ako nakakakita ng ang Vice President, hinahanap ang attendance sa lahat," Duterte said in Bisaya.
She also cleared the air about her "designated survivor" statement, saying it wasn't a joke nor a bomb threat.
"Hindi 'yun joke. Hindi rin 'yun bomb threat," the VP added. "I think many missed the point."
"So para sa akin, kung di mo naintindihan nung unang beses, I don't think you deserve an explanation."
Duterte did not go into further details as to why she would not attend the SONA.
Speculations of a falling out between Duterte and Marcos were going around after the former stepped down from her posts as the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on June 19.
However, Duterte said that they are “still friendly” with each other on a personal level.”
Marcos' third SONA is set for July 22 at the Batasang Pambansa Pilipinas. An official of the House of Representatives said that over 2,000 guests have confirmed their attendance as of July 9.