Sara Duterte says Marcos' SONA 'a waste of time'
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte publicly dismissed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address as a waste of time. Duterte, currently abroad during her impeachment trial, has distanced herself from the administration.
Why it matters
This reflects the deepening political rift between the Philippines' top two leaders, which has significant implications for national stability.
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IN THE HAGUE. Vice President Sara Duterte during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands on Monday, July 27, 2026,
Vice President Sara Duterte left the country on July 21, while her impeachment trial was in full swing, for "official foreign travel and personal engagements" that includes stops in The Hague in the Netherlands, Qatar, and the United Kingdom. Duterte criticized unfulfilled promises made by Marcos during their 2022 campaign, questioning why people should believe in or watch the SONA. Duterte started skipping the SONA in 2024, following her resignation as education secretary and her official split with Marcos. At the time, she deadpanned that she was not attending the SONA as she had appointed herself as the "designated survivor," amid Marcos ouster rumors. This is AI-generated.
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