Will VP Duterte, FL Marcos be Sona seatmates again? Panel to decide

Sara Duterte —PHOTO FROM INDAY SARA DUTERTE FB PAGE                Liza Araneta-Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Will Vice President Sara Duterte and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos be seatmates again during the third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.?

That’s for an interagency panel to decide, according to House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

In an ambush interview on Monday, Velasco was asked what the seating plan for the upcoming Sona would look like given that the political landscape has changed due to the Marcos-Duterte rift.

“We have an interagency committee, wherein the Office of the President and the Senate counterparts are there. So, we will decide on that, the seating plan for the VIPs…As of now, there’s no decision,” Velasco said.

In the past Sonas, the First Lady and the Vice President were seated beside each other.

Last April, the First Lady admitted snubbing the Vice President after she attended prayer rallies where the President was called a “drug addict” by the Vice President’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.  In June, the Vice President resigned from her post as Education Secretary.

READ: Liza Marcos admits snubbing Sara Duterte: ‘Bad shot na ’yan sa akin’

READ: Sara Duterte resigns as DepEd secretary, says Palace 

According to Velasco, the panel is looking to accommodate 2,000 guests in the plenary hall.

At least 60 percent of the attendees have confirmed, the House official added.

When asked if the Vice President was among those invited, Velasco answered in the affirmative.

Renovations

Renovation works are ongoing at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in a bid to make the venue for the Sona more conducive to attendees. Velasco did not give details on how much the House is spending on repairs and improvements.

He said that part of the improvements was to enclose the north and south wings, where VIPs would move through. Air-conditioning units would also be installed to make the areas cooler.

“We don’t have the figures available now. But, as you know, this is an old building. That’s why we have decided to renovate the north, south, and that back lobby,” he explained.

“We have decided to install air conditioning because sometimes the guests have a hard time when they line up…As you know, at the Sona, all the VIPs will be passing through the north and south lobby. One major complaint is that it is too hot,” he added in Filipino.

For security, the Batasan complex would also be locked down starting July 19, Friday.

“The same arrangement, we will lock down the building during the weekend of Sona.  So, employees will be limited, access will be limited. Only a select number of staff and employees will be allowed,” he added.