MALACAÑANG downplayed the decision of the Senate minority bloc to skip the fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Marcos in protest of the criminal prosecution of its members.
Several members of the Senate minority bloc including Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Senators Pilar S. Cayetano, Imelda Josefa Remedios R. Marcos, Robinhood C. Padilla, and Lorna B. Legarda did not attend the event.
Senator Marcos said they are protesting the prosecution and imprisonment of some of their members.
Among the Senate minority bloc members, who are detained on plunder charges, are Jose Pimentel Ejercito alias Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante D. Marcoleta.
Ejercito was arrested for P573-million worth of alleged illicit payouts from flood control projects, while Marcoleta was detained on plunder charges, which involved his acceptance of P75 million campaign funds.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa is a fugitive as he tries to avoid arrest for his pending crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court for his involvement in the illegal drug war of the Duterte administration.
‘There are people interested in listening to the President’s message. As for those who have no interest – or perhaps simply do not wish to hear the President – their absence is not a loss,’ Presidential Communications Officer Claire Castro said.
Castro said even without those senators, the Sona still pushed through.
‘What matters here is the President’s report. Even if they [minority bloc senators] are absent or go on vacation, or travel abroad, the important thing is that the people will listen to the President,’ Castro said.