IMPLYING that something bad will happen when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 is a very serious matter that warrants an investigation, a senior House Leader reminded Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday.
“It’s a very bad joke. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, especially coming from a very popular VP who garnered a resounding 32 million votes in the last presidential elections. It’s the highest vote for an elected official, in our history books,” Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. said.
“Matagal na tayong nagpe-prepare sa Big One, iyung earthquake lalo sa SONA na nandito sa Batasan ang matataas na mga lider ng bansa tapos ngayon may designated survivor pala na pang-Netflix si VP,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as ‘Designated Survivor in the Philippines! Is she spending too much time watching Netflix? She better read our constitution. It’s as clear as sunlight,” Gonzales said. “She should be more circumspect and responsible in her utterances, owing to her title and the high office that she represents.”
Gonzales said the last thing that Filipinos need in this crucial stage is being threatened with such wild insinuations of seeming explosion, like the popular livestreaming Netflix series where all US officials, led by their President, were killed when he delivered his annual national address.
“This is unnecessary and uncalled for – to say the least. The VP is creating or wreaking havoc to the general public. She’s alarming the people. The SONA is a yearly official and formal event that needs respect, most especially from elected officials like her,” Gonzales explained further.
“Is she really serious?” Gonzales asked, recalling that the daughter of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte even joked previously that all members of her family – from her father to her two brothers – Davao City Mayor Sebastian and Congressman Paolo – will be running in the May 2025 senatorial elections.
There was also a time when the VP said she will be seeking reelection as mayor in Davao City.
“I mean: which is which really? We don’t even know if we can still trust her now. Whatever happened to some decency or at least being forthright in public service? A career in government is not something anybody can play with. We’re dealing with people’s money and public resources,” Gonzales said. (
