VP Sara Duterte: I’d rather read the transcript than watch the SONA

Vice President Sara Duterte said she will not watch President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for tomorrow.

Speaking during the “Bring FPRRD Home, Alive!” event in Seoul, South Korea, Duterte said she prefers to read the transcript of the SONA instead of watching it live, as seeing the President triggers intense emotions.

“Kaya nga ako parang ayoko na rin manood. Kasi sa totoo lang, natitrigger ako pag nakikinig ako sa kanya. Minsan lampas irita na, minsan galit na. Gusto mo nang basagin yung screen ng cellphone mo,” she said.

(That’s why I feel like I don’t want to watch anymore. The truth is, I get triggered when I hear him speak. Sometimes it's beyond irritation, it's anger. You just want to smash your phone screen.)

“’Di na ako manonood. Babasehin ko na lang,” she added. (I won't watch. I’ll just read it.)

Duterte emphasized the importance of reading to understand what she claimed could be lies or flattery in the President’s speech.

She also expressed regret over once believing in what she now calls the same lies, delivering a veiled criticism of President Marcos Jr. and a reflection on her own past support.

"Huwag na nating banggitin. Inday Sara, kasalanan mo ito lahat… Kasi nakita naman natin kung ano ‘yung ama. Nakita natin ‘yung Martial Law. Nakita natin kung anong klaseng ill-gotten wealth ang nilamas nila sa Pinas,” she said.

(Let’s not name names. Inday Sara, this is all your fault… We saw what the father did, we saw Martial Law. We saw the kind of ill-gotten wealth they took from the Philippines.)

“Oo nga, nagkamali nga ako. Akala ko ang gusto niya ay mas magandang Pilipinas kaysa sa kung anong meron tayo ngayon,” she added. (I admit it, I made a mistake. I thought he wanted a better Philippines than what we have now.)

Her speech also focused on their appeal for interim release and dismissal of the charges involving former President Rodrigo Duterte. Throughout her remarks, supporters were vocal, with one shouting, “Pakulam na lang, ma’am,” (Just use witchcraft, ma’am) in reference to critics of the former president.

Others followed with chants like, “Inday Sara, adik talaga si BBM!” (Inday Sara, BBM is really an addict!). The crowd also repeatedly cheered, “Bring him home!”