General articles are free for 24 hours after publish.
Padilla Explains Absence from SONA, Cites Friendliness, Not Protest
Senator Robin Padilla clarified his absence from the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), stating it was not a protest against former President Rodrigo Duterte's detention, but rather a desire not to offend a friend.
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla on Monday, July 27, explained why he won’t attend the fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Padilla, who skipped last year’s Sona as a protest against the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, pointed out that this year’s absence is not a form of protest. “I don’t want to offend my friend,” Padilla said when asked about his decision. His explanation is being closely watched amid the complex political landscape in the Philippines, particularly the relationship between former President Duterte, his allies, and the current administration. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo
Original source
Inquirer NewsInfo