The Philippine Online Chronicles

“Transformation” will be the theme of President Benigno Aquino III's second state of the nation address (SONA) to be presented today, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda told ANC that the president will talk about transformating society and changing the mindset of people towards government, and about “inclusive growth,” wherein the poorest of the poor “will not be left behind as the country moves forward.”

Meanwhile, Senators Joker Arroyo, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Manuel Villar will not be attending the SONA at the Batasan Pambansa complex.

"Sayang ang panahon diyan (SONA)," Arroyo said of the SONA, adding that he is tired of leaders making promises over and over again.

One of Villar's staff said the senator preferred to watch the SONA on television, while Zubiri's staff said that he most probably won't come to the joint session for the SONA later this afternoon.

The Philippine Star also reported that former president and current Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left the House of Representatives after the second regular session of the 15^th Congress opened today.

Arroyo's brother-in-law Negros Occidental representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. and sons, Camarines Sur representative Datu Arroyo and Galing Pinoy partylist representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, were also reported to have left.