MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III arrived at the House of Representatives at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City for his second state of the nation address on Monday.
Aquino arrived on board a presidential helicopter at around 3:00 p.m.
He was welcomed by Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The President was immediately escorted to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office before he delivers his speech at 4:00 p.m.
Two former presidents also arrived – Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada.
Other government officials and prominent personalities who were seen were:
* Former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos and Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, wife of movie actor Richard Gomez were mobbed by the media when they arrived at around 3:00 pm. Both came in light pink terno.
* Vice President Jejomar Binay, who arrived quietly.
* Enrile, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla III with wife and Cavite Representative Lani Mercado arrived early.
Also spotted were Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Grace Llamanzares-Poe and Optical Media Board chairman Ronnie Rickets.