DU30’s last SONA
PRESIDENT Duterte delivers Monday his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) before the joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa (BP) building in Quezon City.
Mandated by the 1987 Constitution, it is a yearly tradition wherein the Chief Executive reports on the current status of the country and bares the administration’s agenda for the coming year.
The Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) said this year’s SONA, which is expected to be attended by only 400 guests due to the pandemic, will be “modest yet memorable.”
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said the guests ought to pressent proof of their vaccination, must be negative for COVID-19 and undergo rapid antigen test at the BP in QC on SONA day.
Likewise, Duterte, whose six-year presidency ends at 12 noon on June 30, 2022, is expected to call on Congress to pass his priority measures to enable him to fulfill his 2016 election promises.
With just 11 months before he leaves Malacanang, President Duterte and his administration are under heavy pressure to address the many problems confronting the Filipino people.
Besides, the official campaign period for next year’s May 9 national and local elections for candidates for President, Vice President, Senator and party-list groups starts on February 8.
On the other hand, local candidates, like district congressmen, governors, vice governors, and city/municipal mayors, vice mayors and councilors may start campaigning on March 25.
But we are hopeful that the pandemic and the election, which is “democracy in action,” will not distract well-meaning candidates from meeting the many needs of Filipinos.
Sana na nga!
