Imee, Duterte bloc boycott SONA
Credit to Author: Marc Jayson Cayabyab| Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — Citing political alignment, solidarity and personal reasons, Sen. Imee Marcos, along with Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Bong Go and Robin Padilla, dubbed the “Duterte boys,” skipped President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday.
Sen. Marcos said the decision was made collectively among the group and dismissed speculation that her absence signaled a deepening rift with the President’s family.
“I was simply joining the Duterte bloc, and I really wasn’t planning to attend. Bong Go didn’t go last year, Bato didn’t go, Robin also wasn’t going, so I decided not to as well. We talked about it and agreed not to attend,” she said.
Despite being critical of Senate President Francis Escudero’s leadership, Imee joined Go and Dela Rosa in voting for Escudero to remain as Senate chief.
“I just went along with Bong Go and Bato. I hope the ‘Tropang Duterte 5’ stays intact,” she added.
Other Duterte allies, such as Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Mark Villar and Camille Villar, were present at the SONA.
Aside from the agreement, Imee explained that she also prioritized what she considered more urgent matters.
“Personally, I really didn’t want to go because there are so many things that, for me, are urgent and important. As for the SONA, we can still listen to it. I know everything the President will say will be published in newspapers, on radio and on TV. We’ll be able to read and follow it, while those who need help can’t wait,” she said.
Go, on the other hand, skipped the SONA due to a severe back spasm that needed immediate medical attention.
“Even if I wasn’t there physically, I will still listen to the SONA because it’s part of my responsibility as a senator,” he added.
Dela Rosa, for his part, earlier said he chose not to attend to avoid being “plastic” following the government’s decision to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte in his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
Meanwhile, the Gabriela Women’s Party gave Marcos a failing grade on his fourth SONA, citing his policies as aggravating the economic crisis and ignoring demands for wage increases, price controls and the removal of anti-poor taxes.
Sarah Elago cited the latest Pulse Asia survey showing 66 percent disapproval of Marcos’ handling of high prices and 48 percent discontent on wages, noting the “sharpest spike” was a 17-point increase in wage concerns in just three months.
“That speaks volumes. We’ve reached a tipping point: while ordinary Filipinos go hungry, big businesses keep raking in profits,” she noted.
Adding to the criticism, labor leader and former presidential candidate Leody de Guzman gave the President a score of two out of 10.
De Guzman acknowledged the government’s limited efforts – such as the option for select Filipinos to buy P20-per-kilo rice and the approval of a P50 wage hike in Metro Manila – but said these fell short of the people’s expectations.
“Marcos only deserves a two because it’s far from what the workers demanded and far from his promise of prosperity,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, labor groups also staged protests and presented their own legislative agenda for the 20th Congress.
At the top were demands for a legislated P250 wage hike, a security of tenure law to end contractualization and protection for trade union rights.
“Make SSS, PhilHealth and unemployment insurance truly universal. Protect the jeepney driver, the online seller, the informal worker. Subsidize these programs – instead of siphoning from them,” the Federation of Free Workers said. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Mayen Jaymalin, Emmanuel Tupas, EJ Macababbad