The House of Representatives is gearing up a week before President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, and stricter measures are expected at the Batasang Pambansa due to the Delta variant threat.
House Secretary-General Mark Llandro Mendoza said around 350 individuals will only be allowed to physically attend the SONA using the first and second galleries of the venue.
“At ang sabi po sa akin ng personal ni Speaker [Allan] Velasco noong Sabado ay kapareho lang po ng numero [ng guests] noong last SONA,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
“Magkakaroon lang siguro ng ilang pagkakaiba. Ang pinag-uusapan ngayon ay saan gagawin ‘yung rapid test at saka antigen test,” Roque added.
The session hall has a capacity of approximately 1,500 individuals, and among the select attendees are senators, house lawmakers, cabinet members, former officials, and other invited guests.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already confirmed her attendance, the secretary-general said.
Several officials will participate through videoconferencing, including Vice President Robredo.
“VP Leni received the invitation to attend the SONA last Friday. Similar to the previous year, she was not asked to be physically present, but to join via Zoom. She will therefore be attending remotely,” VP Spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has also been preparing for security measures to be implemented in the upcoming SONA.
“Palapit na ng palapit ang SONA ng Pangulo at batid ng PNP ang matinding interes ng ating mga kababayan sa kanyang mensahe, kaya naman patuloy ang aming paghahanda para rito,” PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said. – Report from Daniel Manalastas/AG-rir
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