Well, this saves him from a possible awkward moment.
Former president Benigno Aquino III revealed that he will not attend President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on Mon, Jul 25.
According to a report in the Philippine Star, Aquino will watch his successor’s first SONA in the comforts of his own home in Times Street, Quezon City instead.
READ: On the menu: Banana fritters and sandwiches will be served in Duterte’s SONA (http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/07/21/menu-banana-fritters-and-sandwiches-will-be-served-dutertes-sona)
READ: No long gowns: Duterte’s first SONA won’t be a fashion show (http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/07/19/no-long-gowns-dutertes-first-sona-wont-be-fashion-show)
“I will watch it on TV to be able to concentrate on its content,” Aquino said.
His absence means he won’t be seeing former president (and now Pampanga Representative) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose attended in Duterte’s SONA has been confirmed by her lawyer, in person.
As the Star pointed out, former presidents are seated beside each other during the SONA based on their succession.
And this would mean Aquino will be seated beside Arroyo, who was jailed during his term. How’s that for awkward?
But Arroyo could also choose to stay in the middle of the session hall, where the representatives are seated.
READ: Supreme Court frees former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo (http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/07/19/breaking-supreme-court-frees-former-philippine-president-gloria-arroyo)
Arroyo was arrested in 2011 for plunder over the alleged misuse of PHP366 million worth of intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The Supreme Court dismissed the case and ordered Arroyo’s released on Tue, Jul 19.
