FOUR senators aligned with the Duterte bloc are expected to boycott President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for 4:00 PM today, July 28, 2025.
Senator Imee Marcos announced that she and her colleagues, Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, and Robin Padilla, have agreed to forgo attending the President’s speech at the Batasang Pambansa. Senator Rodante Marcoleta is expected to be the only member of the bloc present.
The decision to boycott the SONA represents a significant display of dissent from a group known for its close ties to the former President.
Senator Marcos cited pressing commitments, including assisting flood-affected communities, as the reason for her absence.
She indicated that she would be following the SONA through radio and newspapers, while also suggesting that the President’s speech should focus less on general statements and statistics and more on concrete solutions to the nation’s problems.
The senators’ decision to boycott the SONA highlights the ongoing political tensions and the diverse range of opinions within the Senate, particularly concerning the administration’s approach to governance. The absence of this significant bloc from the SONA is expected to fuel further discussion and analysis of the political landscape.
