MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) may last for only 45 to 50 minutes if the Chief Executive sticks to his prepared speech, Malacañang said Friday.
“[His speech will be] between 45 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on speed,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told INQUIRER.net.
Andanar said the Office of the President and the Presidential Management Staff are preparing Duterte’s speech.
In an Interview with GMA’s Unang Hirit on Friday, he said “if the President sticks to the speech, I think it’s about 45 to 50 minutes but if he adds adlib to his speech it will be longer.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte told him he would deliver a “short” Sona.
Panelo, however, joked that Duterte’s definition of short usually lasts for two hours to three hours.
READ: Duterte to deliver ‘short’ 2019 Sona — Palace
Known for his lengthy speeches, Duterte earlier said he would “educate” his critics about the South China Sea, an issue where he earned a sharp rebuked for allowing Chinese fishermen to trawl in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Duterte’s first Sona in 2016 lasted for one hour and 32 minutes while his second Sona lasted for two hours.
His third Sona in 2018 lasted for 48 minutes. /muf