Malacañang hints ‘blended’ 2020 SONA for Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, President Rodrigo Duterte may deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month using alternative ways.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said plans for Duterte’s second to the last SONA are ongoing but he said that a “blended” way of addressing the nation is a possibility. This is a reference to the government’s “blended” learning alternatives for the upcoming school year.

“That is being discussed. I think kung mayroon tayong blended learning (If we have blended learning), we will also have a blended SONA,” Roque said in a televised Palace press briefing.

The President is mandated under the Constitution to deliver his SONA before a joint session of Congress every fourth Monday of July to report on the status of the country and the government’s agenda in the years to come.

Earlier, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Duterte may deliver his SONA in Maalcañang instead of the traditional venue in Batasang Pambansa.

“It’s up to the senators and congressmen where they want to listen,” he added.

Nonetheless, the Senate leader said that discussions are still underway on how this year’s SONA would be conducted amid the COVID-19 pandemic that necessitates physical distancing and other health protocols.