VP Robredo attending via Zoom
PRESIDENT Duterte’s last state of the nation address (SONA) will be “modest, memorable, and significant” and will highlight some of his administration’s accomplishments, government’s priority for the remainder of the President’s term, and what the next leadership should be ready for, Malacañang said yesterday
The President will deliver his last SONA today at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, only 400 will be allowed at the Batasan Hall while a monitor will be set up in Malacañang to accommodate members of the Cabinet, the diplomatic community, and other individuals who will not be accommodated at the complex which houses the House of Representatives.
Vice President Leni Robredo will not attend the SONA physically as she said she has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. She will attend the event via Zoom.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said said those going to the Batasan should be vaccinated and should present a negative COVID-19 test result.
Nograles said the SONA “will once again adopt a hybrid format… to ensure the safety not only of the President, but also of the audience who will be physically attending the event.“
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said, “Only RTVM (Radio Television Malacañang) and PTV will be allowed inside the Batasang Pambansa for coverage, while other broadcast networks can hook up to their feed.”
Andanar also said said the SONA will reflect Duterte’s leadership. “With President Duterte’s last state of the nation address, we at the PCOO have been working non-stop in our preparations to make this SONA modest, yet memorable and significant to the Filipino people — something that reflects President Duterte as a leader.”
Nograles said the President personally made inputs in the speech, including issues he wants to highlight.
Among these issues, he said an interview with radio dzBB, are the government’s efforts against the pandemic, including the vaccination program.
“Probably the challenges to the next administration, kung ano iyung kailangang ipagpatuloy na pagbabago para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan at para sa ating bansa, iyun din siguro ang babanggitin ni Pangulong Duterte (Probably the challenges to the next administration, what reforms should be sustained for the benefit of the Filipinos and the country, that will probably be mentioned by President Duterte),” he added.
Andanar said the last SONA will include Duterte’s “Tatak ng Pagbabago” legacy, and some of the administration’s accomplishments in the fields of economics, social services, infrastructure, peace and security, and foreign policy.
“It will further include where we are with regard to these aspects to provide the Filipino people a clear picture of our current situation. The address will also be an opportunity for him to set out the directions and plans of the government for the remaining year as we continue to be a source of change while addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Andanar said some of the accomplishments of the administration had already been discussed in the “Pamana ng Pagbabago” pre-SONA forums that ran from July 7 to 22.
A documentary titled “Ang Pangulo,” which will also be shown before the President’s speech.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque last week said the final SONA will not include politics and the political plans of the President.
Robredo’s spokesman, Ibarra Gutierrez, said on the Vice President received her first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine last May and is scheduled to get her second dose on August 11.
“Ayaw naman ni VP na ipagpilitan baka malagay sa panganib ang mga nandoon kasama si Pangulo (The VP does not want to insist on her physical attendance to avoid putting attendees at risk, including the President),” he said.
He said the Vice President was initially invited to virtually attend the SONA but when the it came out in the news, she was later asked to be physically present at the plenary hall.
The Batasan complex remains under strict lockdown and special identification cards were given to essential congressional staff and SONA attendees, who must present their vaccination cards as proof that they are fully vaccinated, as well as negative results of their RT-PCR and antigen tests upon entry.
“It’s all systems go for Monday’s SONA. We are ready to receive the President for his much-awaited annual message for the Filipino people,” said Speaker Lord Allan Velasco after he conducted final inspection yesterday. “Strict security and health restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of the President, Members and staff of Congress and other invited officials and guests throughout the activity.”
The Speaker also inspected the exhibits and a multimedia installation that were set up as part of the tribute to President Duterte by the 18th Congress.
The exhibits at the north and south portions of the plenary highlights the President’s landmark legislation and reform programs during the past five years.
A multimedia installation will receive the President as he makes his way to the plenary.
Fronting the installation is a vessel which is an amalgamation of iconic Mindanaoan motifs: the kulintang, the torogan, the sarimanok, and the balangay.
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said it would be a total surprise if President Duterte will opt to speak the truth in his last SONA.
“I expect plenty of window-dressing for a failed administration that has been marked by killings, lies, obscenities, and neglect of the interest of our country,” he said.
“It would be a change if the President speaks truthfully and expresses regrets for his failings in governance and personal example,” he added. — With Wendell Vigilia and Gerard Naval
