Duterte to rehearse for Sona on Sunday night

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

President Rodrigo Duterte will rehearse his 2018 State of the Nation Address (Sona) speech in Malacañang on Sunday night.

“[It will be] tonight (Sunday night),” Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Sunday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had earlier confirmed that the President’s rehearsal would be on Sunday.

“Rehearsals of the President for the Sona will be on Sunday,” he told reporters.

Roque quoted Duterte, who is known for his long impromptu speeches, saying the President would read a prepared speech, which would not exceed 35 minutes.

READ: Duterte on 3rd Sona: I will read my speech and it won’t exceed 35 minutes

In a statement, Roque said the President would highlight in his speech his plans for the next 12 months.

“Traditionally, the Sona is a highlight of achievements of the previous year, but this year’s Sona is all about the essentials on what PRRD intends to do in the next twelve months of his administration,” he said. /je