VP Sara Duterte will not watch the SONA on TV, gadgets
Vice President Sara Duterte is skipping and will not be watching this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA) on television or any gadgets.
In a now-deleted post by Valiente News, which was shared on Duterte's official Facebook page, the statement said that the vice president is currently in Bohol to offer support and lift the community's spirits after the loss of Vice Governor Victor A. Balite and the suspension of local officials. Thus, she won't be attending or watching the SONA happening on July 22.
"The Vice President will not watch the SONA on TV or gadgets. She is currently in Bohol to empathize with the Boholanos for the death of their Vice Governor, as well as to uplift the general mood of the people brought about by the suspension of their duly-elected local officials," the statement read.
Valiente News also said that July 22 is Bohol Day, making it an "opportune time for the Vice President to bring a message of hope—na may Diyos na nagbabantay sa atin, at sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan at pagsisikap, magagawa nating ayusin ang Bayan muli."
Duterte previously said that she would skip this year's SONA and appoint herself as the "designated survivor."
"I will not attend the SONA... I am appointing myself as the designated survivor," she said last July 11 during the inauguration of the Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopment Center at a hospital in Davao City.
After receiving flak for her statement, Duterte further commented on the topic explaining that it was not a joke.
"Ngayon lang ako nakakakita ng ang Vice President, hinahanap ang attendance sa lahat," Duterte said in Bisaya.
"Hindi 'yun joke. Hindi rin 'yun bomb threat," the VP added. "I think many missed the point."
She continued: "So para sa akin, kung di mo naintindihan nung unang beses, I don't think you deserve an explanation."
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.
