MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio is skipping the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 22 at the Batasang Pambansa.
According to the Vice President, she opted not to attend the event as she is appointing herself as the “designated survivor.”
“No, I will not attend the SONA,” Duterte-Carpio said in an interview in Davao City on Thursday. “I am appointing myself as the designated survivor.”
As practiced by the United States government, a “designated survivor” is a government official chosen to stay at a secure location during events where top leaders are gathered.
This ensures continuity of government in case a catastrophic event kills or incapacitates the president, vice president, and other top officials.
This will be the first time that Duterte-Carpio will not attend the SONA of Marcos, her running mate during the 2022 national election.
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio clarified that she did not deliberately avoid President Marcos during the opening of 2024 Palarong Pambansa on Tuesday afternoon in Cebu City.
In a statement sent to Panay News, Duterte-Carpio said she was absent during the opener to attend to the Palaro coaches and players who were hospitalized at the Cebu City Medical Center.
“Binisita natin sa Cebu City Medical Center ang mga atleta, trainor at coach na hindi makadalo sa opening ceremony ng 2024 Palarong Pambansa,” Duterte-Carpio, the outgoing Education secretary, said.
“Sila ay nagmula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon at na-admit sa hospital dahil sa iba’t ibang karamdaman. Isa sa pakay ng ating pagbisita ay upang bigyan ng moral na suporta ang mga kalahok at hindi sila panghihinaan ng loob,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio and Marcos were both listed as guests of honor for the event, which could be their first public event together since the former tendered her resignation from the Marcos administration’s Cabinet./PN
