Snubbing the SONA: Duterte’s Defiance Threatens a Fractured Democracy

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — June 22, 2025

THE most powerful statement at Marcos Jr.’s July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) won’t be spoken—it’ll be the silence from Sara Duterte’s empty chair. Her boycott isn’t just personal; it’s a seismic shift in Philippine politics, pitting the Duterte dynasty against Marcos in a showdown that could fracture the government Inquirer.net, 2025. With backroom tensions now erupting into public view, this isn’t just a feud—it’s a stress test for democracy itself.

A Symbol of Schism: Deepening Wounds in a Divided Nation

A Fractured Philippines: Unity in Tatters

The SONA is the nation’s annual pulse-check, a moment when leaders unite to signal stability 1987 Constitution, Article VII, Section 18. Duterte’s absence—confirmed by a curt letter from her office, devoid of explanation—sends a chilling message of discord Inquirer.net, 2025. In a country already split by the Marcos-Duterte feud, her empty VIP seat will be a stark visual of a government at war with itself. This act erodes institutional norms, as the vice president’s presence, though not mandated, is a tradition embodying shared governance. Public trust, battered by a 15-point drop in Marcos’ approval rating from 45% to 30% between September 2024 and February 2025 Pulse Asia, 2025, takes another blow when leaders choose personal vendettas over civic duty. Can a nation mend when its second-highest official boycotts its most symbolic gathering?

Democracy on Trial: Protest or Betrayal?

The Constitution grants Duterte legal leeway to skip the SONA, as no explicit mandate requires her attendance 1987 Constitution, Article VII. Yet, the vice presidency carries an unspoken duty to embody readiness to lead—a responsibility she sidesteps Philstar, 2025. Supporters frame her absence as a legitimate protest against an administration accused of betraying her family, especially after her father’s March 2025 ICC arrest Rappler, 2025. Critics, however, see it as a dereliction, arguing that personal grievances don’t justify abandoning democratic rituals. By opting out, Duterte risks normalizing disengagement, weakening the vice presidency’s stature. Is her dissent worth the cost to the nation’s democratic norms?

Dynastic Duel: Marcos vs. Duterte in a Fight for Supremacy

The “UniTeam” alliance of 2022, uniting the Marcos and Duterte dynasties, was a fragile pact built on electoral ambition Wikipedia . Cracks emerged when Marcos sidelined Sara from key roles, relegating her to education instead of defense GMA News, 2022. The rift exploded when Rodrigo Duterte branded Marcos a “drug addict” and faced ICC charges, facilitated by Marcos’ administration Rappler, 2025. Sara’s June 2024 cabinet resignation and her November 2024 remarks—fantasizing about Marcos’ death—sealed the collapse New York Times, 2024. Her 2025 SONA boycott, following her February 2025 impeachment by a Marcos-led House, is the latest escalation Inquirer.net, 2025.

Supporters’ Rallying Cry: Defiance Against Persecution

Duterte’s base, strong in Davao and among overseas workers, sees her absence as a stand against a Marcos-orchestrated vendetta. They view her impeachment—over alleged fund misuse and threats—as political persecution to neutralize her 2028 presidential bid, where she leads with 29% support Pulse Asia, 2025. Her boycott is a signal of autonomy, refusing to legitimize a government accused of betraying her father to “foreign powers” like the ICC Rappler, 2025.

Critics’ Condemnation: Petty Power Plays

Marcos allies and democratic advocates slam Duterte’s absence as reckless brinkmanship, undermining unity amid 10% inflation and South China Sea tensions BusinessWorld, 2025. Her silence on the boycott fuels accusations of immaturity, echoing her 2024 “designated survivor” fiasco Philstar, 2024. Critics argue she prioritizes dynastic loyalty over national interest, risking alienation from moderates who crave stability.

The Ghost of ‘Designated Survivor’: A Credibility Crisis

In 2024, Duterte’s SONA absence was marked by her claim to be the “designated survivor,” a U.S. protocol irrelevant in the Philippines Inquirer.net, 2024. The quip, cited in her February 2025 impeachment as destabilizing rhetoric, drew widespread condemnation for its “poor taste” Philstar, 2024. Her 2025 silence suggests a strategic retreat, avoiding further missteps amid her Senate trial. Yet, the 2024 echo lingers, painting her as flippant about constitutional norms. Is this year’s silence a calculated pivot or a refusal to face her critics?

Impeachment’s Shadow: Defiance or Dodging Scrutiny?

Duterte’s boycott is inseparable from her looming Senate impeachment trial, triggered by a 215-306 House vote in February 2025 over fund misuse and assassination threats Rappler, 2025. With eight senators needed to block conviction, her allies’ midterm wins—Senators Go and Dela Rosa—bolster her chances GMA News, 2025. Her absence may be a defiant middle finger to Marcos’ allies, framing herself as a victim of persecution. Alternatively, it’s a tactical sidestep, avoiding a stage where her presence could invite scrutiny. Will this gamble rally her base or erode her broader appeal?

Charting a Path Forward: Escaping the Dynastic Trap

For Leaders: Confront or Conciliate?

Marcos must decide whether to address the rift in his SONA. Silence, as in 2024, cedes the narrative to Duterte’s camp, who paint him as weak CNN Philippines, 2024. A call for unity, without naming Duterte, could project leadership while avoiding escalation. Duterte, meanwhile, must break her silence. Her office’s refusal to explain the boycott invites speculation and undermines her public service claims Inquirer.net, 2025. Transparency, even if critical, respects Filipinos’ right to know.

For Citizens: Reclaiming Democracy

Filipinos, fed up with dynastic drama, must demand accountability beyond this feud. Youth-led groups like the Anti-Dynasty Coalition, gaining traction on X, push for laws limiting political families’ dominance X Post, 2025. Inspired by the 1986 People Power revolt, they advocate transparency and anti-corruption reforms. Citizens can amplify these efforts by backing non-dynastic candidates in 2028 and supporting constitutional amendments to curb dynasties. The 2025 midterms showed Duterte resilience—Rodrigo and Sebastian won in Davao—but also public frustration GMA News, 2025. Can this discontent spark a democratic renewal?

A Nation at the Crossroads: Unity or Reckoning?

Sara Duterte’s empty seat at the 2025 SONA is a glaring symbol of a democracy held hostage by dynastic ambition. It reflects a nation strained by personal loyalties, where public office becomes a battleground for family feuds. Her boycott, steeped in impeachment battles, ICC arrests, and a shattered alliance, is both a symptom and a catalyst of deeper malaise. Is this the death knell for unity—or a spark for Filipinos to demand a politics free from dynastic chains? The answer lies not in the Batasang Pambansa’s galleries but in the streets, where a new generation dares to forge a republic unbound by the past.