Duterte begins practicing Sona speech

President Rodrigo Duterte rehearses his speech for his second State of the Nation Address on July 24. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar says the President wanted his written speech not to go beyond 40 or 50 minutes. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte has begun rehearsing his speech for his second State of the Nation (Sona) on Monday, Malacañang has said.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duteterte rehearsed his speech at around 7 p.m. on Thursday night at the Presidential guest house in Panacan, Davao City.

Andanar said the President does not want his “written speech” to go beyond 40 or 50 minutes.

“He wants it direct to the point. I’m estimating the final draft to be between 15 and 18 pages,” Andanar said in a text message to reporters on Thursday night.

A photo of the rehearsal released by Malacañang showed Duterte was wearing an army uniform. The chief executive visited conflict-torn Marawi earlier Thursday.

Present during his rehearsal were Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Andanar had earlier said the Duterte’s speech would be “meaningful” and “exciting.”

READ: Andanar: Expect longer, meaningful Sona from President

During his first Sona last year, Duterte did not follow his prepared speech and instead added several impromptu remarks. IDL