Malacañang Speaks on Attendance of VP Sara Duterte to PBBM’s 5th SONA
SARA DUTERTE – Malacañang spoke on whether or not the Vice President is invited to the 5th State of the Nation Address or SONA of Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
Amid the political chaos in the Philippines, it is no secret to the Filipino people that the two (2) highest officials in the government are not in good terms. The said gap became evident since Vice Pres. Duterte left the Department of Education and the Marcos Jr. Cabinet in 2024.
Then, Duterte claimed that her decision to resign from being the education secretary stems from both work and personal reasons. Later, amid the issues, the Vice President claimed that Marcos Jr. allegedly tried to stop her from resigning when she allegedly talked to him early in the morning and he was supposedly smelling to had some drink already.
The arrest and the transfer of the custody of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands in 2025 further triggered the political gap which now divided the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
Since they assumed office in 2022, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was only able to attend the State of the Nation Address or SONA of Pres. Bongbong Marcos once. In 2023, she attended the President’s national address and she was seated beside First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
In 2024, Duterte refused to attend the President’s SONA calling herself as the “designated survivor”. The said remarks earned different reactions as it is used in the United States for an official who will succeed the President in case something happens at an event that gathers most highest officials in the country.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte did not attend the 2025 SONA of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. For the upcoming event that is set on July 27, there are questions if the Vice President is “uninvited” to the President’s national address amid her criticisms against the government.
Based on a report on News3, Malacañang spoke on the possible invitation for Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to attend the 5th SONA of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the sending of invites is not within the prerogative of the President.
“Hindi po ang Pangulo ang mag-iimbita sa Bise Presidente kundi po ang House of Representatives,” Castro said.
According to Malacañang, Marcos Jr. is already finalizing his speech for the upcoming SONA. Based on the report, the Metro Manila Development Authority or MMDA is now preparing for the upcoming national event following the protocols of Malacañang to regulate traffic and promote safety during the event.
Reportedly, around 1,500 traffic enforcers will be deployed on the day of the 5th SONA of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. There will also be zipper lanes for the motorists and exclusive lanes for those who are invited to the event. The number coding will remain in implementation as well.
Amid the ongoing impeachment trial of the Vice President, one of the issues discussed is the alleged threats of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.