MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Friday said it is not surprised that former President and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will skip President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address next week.

Presidential spokersperson Edwin Lacierda said the President has been preparing for the SONA regardless of whether or not his predecessor will attend.

"The President has been preparing for the SONA with total indifference whether Representative Arroyo is attending or not. It is a constitutional mandate to report to the House and the Senate on the state of the nation. The President will do so regardless of the presence of Rep. Arroyo, or absence," Lacierda said.

Asked if Arroyo should be apprehensive about the SONA, Lacierda said: "It's just a speech, why should she be apprehensive?"

He also revealed the theme of the SONA on Monday.

"It's a SONA moving forward. What we've done, what we're doing, where we're headed. Basically those are the thrusts of the SONA: where we were prior to this administration coming in."

Lacierda, meanwhile, said the Palace respects people who will mount street protests during the SONA.

He, however, asked protesters to remain peaceful and not resort to violence during the rallies.