Duterte to tackle COVID-19 response, recovery efforts in SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The new coronavirus pandemic and the government’s response and recovery efforts will be one of the highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week.

Malacañang confirmed that the President would physically deliver his SONA before a limited number of lawmakers at the Batasan Pambansa on July 27.

“He has confirmed that he will attend, unless there are supervening events. By theme, well I think it will be obvious that he will be taking about COVID-19, its impact on the country and steps take to deal with COVID-19, and how we can recover from its effects,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

He added that Duterte would also talk about “his priorities for the remaining two years in office” in his SONA.

“The President will be physically present at the Batasan Pambansa for the Sona on the 27th. The rehearsals have been scheduled and preparations are ongoing,” Roque said.

The number of attendees will be also limited in consideration of physical distancing protocols.“I can confirm that on the side of the lawmakers, only 50 will be allowed to attend. I don’t know as to how many members of the Cabinet can join him,” Roque said.

The Palace was earlier considering the possibility of a “virtual” SONA for the 75-year-old Duterte, in which he would deliver his address from the Malago clubhouse in Malacañang.

Roque urged militant groups to go virtual in their SONA protest rallies for this year to avoid transmitting the virus.

“I think it’s very clear that mass gathering will result in the fast spread of the disease. They can protest online. Let us avoid gatherings. Social distancing will go to waste if we see gatherings at the Sona,” Roque said.