Palace: Duterte may not include future political plans in final Sona

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte may not include in his fifth and final State of the Nation Address (Sona) his future political plans when he steps down as chief executive next year, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President will instead outline his “road map” for his last year in office.

“Siguro hindi mapapasama ang kanyang planong pulitika. Ang importante is ‘yung road map for his last year of office,” he said in a briefing.

(I think his political plans will not be included. What is important is his road map for his last year of office.)

The President is expected to tout in his final Sona the country’s improvements since he took over in 2016, notably on peace and security as well as foreign policies, Roque earlier said.

Duterte is set to deliver his final Sona on Monday, July 26.

The President had bared plans of gunning for the vice presidency in the 2022 national polls to avoid possible lawsuits.

His allies have likewise urged him to run for the second-highest post in the country for “continuity.”

Close contact with COVID-afflicted son?

Roque said he has no information whether the President had close contact with his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who recently tested positive for the coronavirus.

President Duterte is “concerned as a father” for the younger Duterte.

Will this affect the Duterte family’s attendance in the final Sona?

President Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, has already confirmed that she will not be attending her father’s final Sona, Roque said.

He added that he is not privy if Duterte’s other son, Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte, will be attending ingthe Sona.

“I understand the number of members of Congress na darating (to arrive) is very limited,” he said.

/MUF