2ND REPORT TO THE NATION
IT’S all systems go for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today.
Thus said House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who called back to Marcos’ first SONA last year as the “setting of the direction” of the lawmakers moving forward under the new administration.
Romualdez, the leader of the 312-member House of Representatives, expects SONA 2023 to be no different in this regard as the solons carry on their mission.
“With President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., setting the direction during his first State of the Nation Address, our mission in the House of Representatives has been to champion legislative initiatives that empower every Filipino citizen and promote inclusive, sustainable development,” Romualdez told reporters at a press conference Saturday afternoon.
“In essence, our mission has been to serve as true representatives of the Filipino people, translating their hopes and aspirations into meaningful, impactful legislation, and fostering a shared sense of progress and prosperity for all,” he added.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco has said that its “all systems go” for Monday’s SONA, while Romualdez has been satisfied with the lower chamber’s preparations during the past few weeks.
The preparations for the big event went into high gear when the House enforced a lockdown last Thursday. For this year, the pre-SONA lockdown – a standard operating procedure – will last until Sunday, or four days in total.
Velasco said the SONA 2023 theme or motif is Filipiniana. This will be reflected in the guests’ outfits to the food that will be served to the guests.
Over 2,000 guests are expected to troop to Batasan Complex in Quezon City to listen to the SONA. President Marcos will deliver the speech in a joint session between House members and senators at around 4 p.m. Monday.
Among the VIPs who will attend are Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Rodrigo Roa Duterte – the remaining three living Philippine presidents. Deputy Speaker Arroyo is Pampanga’s 2nd district representative.
Lara Maigue, a classically-trained soprano, will sing the national anthem just before the SONA in the afternoon session. In the morning session, a choir from Tacloban City, I Love Tacloban Quartet Singers will sing the Lupang Hinirang.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 protocols for SONA guests this year would be minimal as they would only be asked to present their vaccination card during screening.
But for those who are unvaccinated, a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test 24 hours before the event would be required.
The proceedings today would still be held under a “hybrid” set-up, meaning teleconferencing would still be allowed. On Saturday, Malacañang lifted the Philippines’ Covid-19 public health emergency status.
