MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte remains on the official guest list for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, despite being on an overseas trip that will keep her from attending the event.
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil confirmed over the weekend that an invitation was sent to Duterte in keeping with the standard practice of inviting high-ranking government officials and other dignitaries to the annual address.
The Office of the Vice President earlier announced that Duterte is on an official overseas trip from July 16 to 31, with scheduled visits to Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, effectively ruling out her attendance at Marcos’ national address.
The last time Duterte attended the SONA was in July 2023, when she and the chief executive were still political allies.
Her absence comes as she faces an impeachment trial before the Senate over the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, inaccurate declarations in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), unexplained wealth, and alleged threats against Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romualdez.
Invitations to the annual SONA are customarily extended to incumbent and former senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Cabinet secretaries, lawmakers, former presidents, and other invited guests.
Malacañang earlier said the president has no say on the attendance of officials in his annual address as invitations to the event are sent by the House of Representatives.
