Gov’t Crisis Evident Even during Marcos SONA 2025 Event w/ Duterte’s Maintained Absence
MARCOS SONA 2025 – It is my humble opinion that the absence of the Vice President in the important annual address shows more than just an empty seat.
The Marcos administration is halfway towards the end of the term of Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. The Chief Executive remains a vocal advocate of the reform that he wants to see in the country. However, like any other previous government, the current one has both strength and weaknesses.
The Filipinos witnessed the President going around and really seeing projects by himself. However, what the people saw more clearly is the deepening rift between him and the person second in command, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Ahead of the Marcos SONA 2025, she has informed the public that she will not attend the annual event.
If it pushes through today, this will mark the second absence of Vice Pres. Duterte in the SONA of Pres. Bongbong Marcos — her running mate in the 2022 Elections. Their tandem formed a huge solidarity among the BBM-Sara supporters but the differences between the two (2) have also immediately placed a gap in between their supporters.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that she will be in South Korea to meet with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there. While this may be considered as a mere “absence” of someone invited to the event, looking deeper, such situation will show more than just an empty seat.
It is truly unfortunate if the president and the vice president of a country are not in good terms. While the admin can push for as many projects as they can, a good relationship between the highest and the second-highest officials in the government may fair a better chance of a more progressive nation.
That empty seat also speaks about “showing up” — regardless of who is against you. The SONA is one of the most important events that Filipinos who truly care for the country may spend some time on. After all, it will not take the entire day. It is my humble opinion that the presence of anyone inside Batasang Pambansa is not actually for whoever will be speaking in front but for the nation. It is unfortunate to be hearing some known officials skipping the event for some reasons.
While what lies ahead remains unknown, the empty seat during the Marcos SONA 2025 seemingly hints that while there are renewed opportunities for the current administration as they face the entrance of the last three (3) years of their term, there may be no renewed relationships among the leaders of the country for what should be prioritized — the nation itself.
Disclaimer: The content of the article posted above is an opinion of the writer. Also, the citations provided are based on the information deemed as facts by the different sources that contribute to the basis of the making of the whole viewpoint. The writer does not, in any form, intend to create inaccurate understanding of the topic or influence the readers, instead, express one’s viewpoint in a formal manner.