Imee Marcos skips SONA to aid typhoon victims

Sen. Imee Marcos announced Monday that she will skip President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to distribute typhoon relief following recent flooding.

She clarified that her decision is not influenced by Vice President Sara Duterte or a personal rift with the president, but rather aligns with the Duterte bloc's stance and focuses on helping those affected by storms.

Marcos expressed hope for a simpler and more straightforward SONA this year, focusing on practical concerns such as food security, flood control, and healthcare.

She will prioritize distributing aid like nutribuns and school supplies to typhoon victims in areas where children are waiting for assistance.

Sen. Robin Padilla cited former President Rodrigo Duterte's detention at the International Criminal Court as his reason for skipping the SONA.

Senator Marcos also mentioned that other senators from the Duterte bloc, including Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, Bong Go, and Robin Padilla, might not attend this year's SONA.