MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) –  Whenever the President of the United States delivers his State of the Union Address, a representative of the opposing political party gives his or her official response.

That tradition will now become standard in the Philippines, starting this year.

After President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23, the Opposition response will be read by Vice President Leni Robredo.  She’s calling it NOWNA — in reference to what she believes are the changes needed — right away —in the current Administration. (Hence the term “now na.”)

Robredo’s response will be her first major address since announcing that she was willing to head a coalition to oppose Duterte.

Robredo’s NOWNA will be broadcast live exclusively on Rappler’s Facebook page. No fact-checking necessary.

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Six Opposition Senators have spoken against Vice President Leni Robredo, saying they do not want her to lead their coalition.

The Senators  made this clear just hours after Robredo announced that she was willing to head a coalition to oppose President Duterte.

The six are Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes, Kiko Pangilinan and Leila De Lima.

Duterte reacted to Robredo’s announcement by saying that she is ‘incompetent’ and will never be ready to become President.

The Adobo Chronicles spoke to Senator Risa Hontiveros and asked her why the Opposition Senators said what they said about the Vice President.

”Well, we don’t want an incompetent person to lead our coalition.  It would be a formula for disaster,” Hontiveros said.

For once, Duterte and the Opposition are of one mind.  There is hope for unity.

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City Bureau) –  In a media briefing on Tuesday, Vice President Leni Robredo said she is willing to unite opposition groups and take on the role as the movement’s leader.

“I have long since taken the role of [opposition leader]… Now there were initiatives of various groups to unite and they asked if I can lead. I said yes, but terms have to be discussed,” she said in Filipino.

Robredo, who is from the former administration Liberal Party, said it is her duty to unite the different voices in the prospective opposition coalition.

Upon hearing of Robredo’s statement, incarcerated Senator Leila De Lima slammed the Vice President and accused her of stealing the limelight from her.

”There is no political leader more worthy to lead the Oppostion against Duterte than myself,” De Lima said.

’What has Leni done, other than wait for something to happen to the President?  On the other hand, I am the true poster girl for  the Opposition.  I have opposed Duterte since he assumed office.  I am strong, principled and consistent.  I have received awards from international organizations. I am a better lawyer than Robredo, having passed the Bar on my first try,” De Lima told The Adobo Chronicles.

She added: “Leni should just stick to what she does best, serve merienda to news reporters.”

The Adobo Chronicles could not reach Robredo or her ghost writer Georgina Hernandez for comment.