Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Tuesday parried comments that listening to the president’s State of the Nation Address is a waste of time as she stressed that Filipinos should get involved in government and assist where they can.</p><p>Garin issued the statement after Vice President Sara Duterte said she was not interested in the SONA, which she called a &quot;waste of time.&quot;</p><p>The Iloilo representative said Duterte has the right to say that but argued Filipinos should listen to the address whether or not they agree with what is said there.</p><p>“Why? Because you need to get involved. Why? Because you are part of government,” she said.</p><p>“Aksaya ba siya ng panahon? Hindi. Kasi pinapakinggan mo at titingnan mo saan ka ba pwedeng makatulong, ikaw man ay opisyal o ikaw man ay pribadong sektor.” </p><p>(Is it a waste of time? No. Because you listen to it and see where you can help, whether you are an official or in the private sector.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/from-his-cousin-to-the-community-of-nations-highlights-from-marcos-jr-s-5th-sona-2244">From his cousin to the community of nations: Highlights from Marcos Jr.&#x27;s 5th SONA</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>ROMUALDEZ&#x27;S WOES</strong></div><p>Asked about House members’ morale, after the president said in his SONA that the Ombudsman is close to filing cases against Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez — their former speaker — Garin said feeling &quot;some pain&quot; about it is &quot;only natural&quot;.</p><p>She said House members respect the process and the justice system and see the &quot;need to move on&quot; and deliver legislation that will benefit the Filipino people.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/28/-ombudsman-panel-seeks-romualdez-response-to-plunder-other-allegations-1239">Romualdez, others asked to counter raps on flood control funds<br/></a></div><p>“Let us leave it to the courts to decide based on evidence,” she said, adding they would be the best venues for Romualdez and other legislators implicated in corruption in flood-control projects can defend themselves.</p><p>ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio, for his part, said the president’s statement about Romualdez “remains to be seen”.</p><p>He added Filipinos should not be satisfied with just Romualdez being alluded to in Marcos Jr.&#x27;s SONA.</p><p>“Hindi pwedeng palusutin ‘yung executive branch. ‘Yung flood control corruption, nangyari ‘yan dahil may sabwatan ng executive at saka ng legislative,” he said.</p><p>(We must not forget the executive branch. The corruption in flood control happened because of collusion within the executive and legislative branches.)</p>

<p>House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Tuesday parried comments that listening to the president’s State of the Nation Address is a waste of time as she stressed that Filipinos should get involved in government and assist where they can.</p>

House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Tuesday parried comments that listening to the president’s State of the Nation Address is a waste of time as she stressed that Filipinos should get involved in government and assist where they can.

Garin: 'Waste of time'? SONA can help Filipinos be more involved

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Garin: 'Waste of time'? SONA can help Filipinos be more involved

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 28, 2026 05:39 PM PHT

Read More:

State of the Nation Address

Janette Garin

Sara Duterte

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