THIS WAS OKAY LAST YEAR. Members of the Makabayan bloc wear their advocacies in style for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (Sona) in 2023. This July 22, 2024, however, a de facto fashion police has emerged for the Sona in the person of the House secretary general. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has reminded her colleagues at the House of Representatives to follow the dress code for the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 22 as a sign of respect to the event and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a statement on Wednesday, Kusug Tausug party-list Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut said she agrees with House Secretary General Reginald Velasco as “there is a proper place and time for protest, and that is not at the Sona.”
She was referring to Velasco’s statement that guests wearing outfits with derogatory words or political messages will be banned from attending the Sona.
READ: Sona outfits with derogatory words, political messages banned – House
Velasco was commenting on the Makabayan bloc’s possible attire as these lawmakers have been known to wear outfits with political statements.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro took offense to Velasco’s statement, saying that if they were banned from attending the Sona due to their outfit, it would be a violation of their right to freedom of expression.
READ: Makabayan bloc to flout Sona ban on ‘protest’ fashion
On Thursday, Castro and fellow Makabayan bloc member Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas showed the outfits that they would wear for the Sona.
Brosas’ dress shows a Filipino woman standing up against the aggressive actions of foreigners in the West Philippine Sea.
Castro’s dress, meanwhile, has a statement calling for proper wages and better standards of living for poor Filipinos.
This one is for Rep. Castro, designed by Francis Yu also, with the artwork being created by Michael Joselo. | @GabrielLaluINQ pic.twitter.com/9Ld8TPPp9d
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 18, 2024
With regards to what she would wear, Tan-Tambut said her dress was made by a local designer and would “reflect a bit of the history and much of the culture and traditions of her cultural community, the Tausug of Sulu.”
“We have a lot of world-class designers and very good modistas. We must support them so their talents will be known outside of our country. That way, we help create more jobs while we promote our culture,” added Tan-Tambut, chair of the House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.
Marcos is expected to deliver his third Sona on Monday afternoon when the House and the Senate convene a joint session. Prior to the Sona, both chambers of the 19th Congress will open their third and last regular session.