VP Sara's 'waste of time' SONA remark disrespects Constitution — Palace
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks that reading and watching President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address is “a waste of time,” saying that disrespecting the SONA is like disrespecting the Constitution.
“Ang hindi pagbibigay respeto sa SONA ay hindi pagrespeto sa Konstitusyon, hindi pagrespeto sa institusyon. May mga tao na ang nais ay manatiling walang alam, mangmang ang mga kababayan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Wednesday, July 29.
(Not giving respect to SONA is disrespecting the Constitution, disrespecting the institution. There are individuals who want our people to stay uninformed and ignorant.)
The SONA is required under Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates the president to address Congress at the opening of its regular session to report on the state of the nation and recommend legislative measures.
Duterte’s remarks
Duterte made the remark on July 27, the same day as Marcos’ fifth SONA and said that she had no plans to read its contents or even its summary.
“Hindi ako nanood ng SONA like last year and wala akong balak basahin ang nilalaman ng SONA o kahit man lang summary dahil I truly believe it is a waste of time of the Filipino people,” Duterte said.
(I did not watch SONA like last year and I don’t have any plans to read the content of SONA or even its summary because I truly believe it is a waste of time of the Filipino people.)
In response, Castro called on the public to be discerning of such comments, warning that people who are uninformed about government plans and programs are easier to manipulate.
“Obligasyon po nating alamin ang katotohanan at huwag tayong sumunod sinoman na nag-uudyok na manatili tayong mangmang sa katotohanan. Mabubulag po tayo diyan,” Castro said.
(It is our obligation to seek the truth and we should not follow anyone who urges us to stay ignorant of the truth. We will be blinded by that.)
Waste of time
Castro even borrowed Duterte’s own words, saying that responding to the latter’s claims is “a waste of time.”
In the same interview, Duterte said she does not believe Marcos’ announcement that charges are about to be filed against his cousin and former House speaker Martin Romualdez for his alleged role in flood control anomalies.
Duterte cited Marcos’ previous "unfulfilled" promises, such as P20-per-kilo rice, to justify her skepticism.
“Parang ito po yung ‘waste of time’ sagutin dahil sa walang basehan at walang kakwenta-kwentang mensahe. Alam po natin na lahat ng ito ay kasinungalingan. Nandiyan ang P20 kada kilo na bigas na marami na pong nakaka-avail,” Castro said.
(This is a waste of time to answer because the message has no basis and is utterly worthless. We know that all of these are lies. The P20 per kilo rice program is already in place and many people have already been able to avail of it.)
Castro also hit back at Duterte's criticism that incidents of school violence in the country are “manifestations of weak leadership” by the president, members of his Cabinet and others working in the Office of the President.
The Palace spokesperson said the government and the police immediately responded to these incidents and actions to address them are already in place.
“Mas maganda po talagang alamin kung anong programa ng pangulo para hindi po tayo nabubulag sa katotohanan,” Castro added.
(It is really better to learn about the programs of the President so we are not being blind of the truth.)
Castro also ignored Duterte’s remark that Marcos’ administration is a "dictatorship" and that the 2028 elections are uncertain to occur.
“We know the Constitution. So, again, it’s a waste of time to make a response on that statement,” Castro said.
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