MANILA, July 9, 2025 — Vice President Sara Duterte has confirmed she will not attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), citing a prior engagement with the Filipino community in South Korea that coincides with the President’s annual speech on July 28.
Speaking to the media during her visit to The Netherlands, Duterte shared, “No SONA for me kasi confirmed na ang Korea natin na Filipino gathering,” referring to her scheduled attendance at an event organized for overseas Filipino workers.
Her absence from this year’s SONA further underscores the widening rift between the country’s top two officials, whose alliance in the 2022 elections was once built on the promise of national unity. Duterte had already signaled her intention to skip the address last month, saying she did not expect the President to deliver anything “substantial.”
“I do not intend to attend the State of the Nation Address of President Marcos since I don’t think he will be providing anything substantial about our country,” she said during an interview in Melbourne on June 22.
Political Divide and Global Outreach
Vice President Duterte has recently ramped up her international engagements, particularly with Filipinos abroad. Her current visit to The Hague is primarily to see her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been detained since March 11 under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes linked to his administration’s war on drugs.
After her stay in the Netherlands from July 5 to 23, Duterte is set to travel to South Korea for her community engagement. She mentioned that her father’s long-time partner, Honeylet Avanceña, will also visit the former president in detention.
Duterte Gives Update on Her Father’s Condition
The Vice President shared details about her father’s physical condition, noting significant weight loss. “Sobrang payat siya na hindi niyo pa siya nakita na ganito kapayat,” she said, describing him as “skin and bones.” However, she emphasized that his slimmed-down appearance seemed healthier compared to his previous, heavier state.
She attributed his weight loss primarily to a loss of appetite and the absence of traditional Filipino food in detention, rather than any medical condition. “Naiintindihan namin ‘yung concern… pero dahil ‘yun sa appetite, loss of appetite,” she explained.
Responds to Marcos’ Call for Unity
In response to President Marcos’ earlier appeal to end political bickering, Duterte had a sharp retort. “Siguro tumingin siya sa salamin, no? ‘Pag sinasabi niya ‘yung i-stop na ang pamumulitika. Kasi sila yung namumulitika,” she said, adding that their camp has only been defending themselves from repeated political attacks.
“They are in the administration. They should be the ones focusing on what needs to be delivered to the people,” she added.
ICC Case Against Rodrigo Duterte Continues
The former president remains detained at The Hague as part of the ICC’s investigation into his controversial anti-drug campaign. According to the court, Duterte is accused of orchestrating and funding death squads that carried out the killings of suspected drug offenders during his presidency. He made a preliminary appearance via video on March 14, and a confirmation hearing for the charges is scheduled on September 23.
The ICC’s arrest warrant alleges that Duterte, 80, committed crimes against humanity through systematic extrajudicial killings carried out under the guise of anti-drug operations.
A Political Landscape in Flux
Sara Duterte’s decision to skip the SONA and her increasing international visibility continue to fuel speculation about the future of the Duterte political bloc. Her remarks and distancing from the Marcos administration highlight a shift in alliances ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
