I AM a former member of the old Marcos Cabinet, a former member of the interim Batasang Pambansa, and a former member of the Senate who served as majority leader to six Senate presidents. By tradition, I should have a seat at the opening of the regular session of Congress to listen to the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Parliamentary tradition allows me, as a former member of Congress, to sit with the current members if there is space, provided I do not attempt to participate in the proceedings. I used to get an official invitation, which I was pleased to honor, on a regular basis, but this time, for unexplained reasons, I have not received any from either the House or the Senate.