Bong Go skips Marcos’ 3rd SONA

Senator Bong Go is not at President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

Go, an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, went live on his Facebook page at around 4:00 p.m. where he was seen undergoing a medical procedure. 

Marcos' SONA started at 4:00 p.m. 

In a separate Facebook post, Go said he needed to undergo a stress echocardiogram to ensure that he is physically fit to go around, but said he is monitoring the SONA on television.

"Madami na rin naman sila doon. Ayoko na makipagsisikan," Go quipped. "Napagdaanan ko na din naman ang iilang mga nakaraang SONA. Ang importante talaga sa bawat taon na ginaganap ito ay hindi lamang ang salitang binibitawan ng Pangulo, kundi ang aksyon na susunod dito para maisakatuparan ang serbisyong naipapangako sa taumbayan."

(There's a lot of people there anyway. I don't want to deal with the crowd. I have experienced several past SONAs anyway. What is really important in every year it is held are not just the words that the President says but the actions that follow to accomplish the promised service to the public.)

"Gayunpaman, kasalukuyang nanonood ako ng talumpati ng ating Pangulo sa TV at babantayan ko ang mga pangako ng administrasyon. Sumusuporta naman ako sa kanilang mga magagandang programa at plano. Ngunit mas inaantabayanan ko ang resulta ng mga ito na dapat ay makinabang ang mga mahihirap nating kababayang Pilipino," he added.

(That said, I am currently watching the speech of our President on TV and I am going to monitor the administration's promises. I do support their good programs and plans. But I am more in anticipation of the results of these and our poor compatriots should be able to benefit from them.)

He then appealed to the Marcos administration to prioritize the strengthening of the healthcare system and reducing inflation.

"Importante na may laman ang tiyan at walang magutom na Pilipino," he ended.

(It is important that Filipinos' stomachs are full and no one is going hungry.)

Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is not only a no-show at this year's SONA; she has also announced that she will not be monitoring Marcos' speech on TV or any gadget. 

The Vice President earlier announced that she will not attend the SONA and that she would appoint herself as “the designated survivor.” — BM, GMA Integrated News