Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. opens the Second Regular Session of the House of Representatives of the 16th Congress Monday morning (July 28, 2014) at the Batasang Pambansa Bldg. in Quezon City. The House and the Senate will hold a joint session in the afternoon to hear the fifth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno S. Aquino III. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – True to her words, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, wife of detained Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., will skip President Benigno Aquino III’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
“I have an appointment to attend to, important district duties, sorry,” Mercado, who was present during the opening of the 16th Congress’ second regular session, told reporters after having lunch with other independent minority lawmakers.
Mercado last month said she will snub the SONA as she expects Aquino to mention her husband’s arrest and detention over the P10-billion pork barrel scam.
Mercado declined to comment on what she expects from Aquino’s SONA, saying she would rather wait and see what the President will say.
“Let us listen to him, yun na lang,” she said.
Revilla is facing graft and plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the multibillion-peso scam.
Mercado had earlier accused Aquino of coming up with ways to shame her and her husband. (MNS)