Palace: Duterte to flaunt PH’s gains under his watch in final SONA

MANILA, Philippines — Expect President Rodrigo Duterte to show off the country’s improvements since he took over the seat of power in 2016, notably on peace and security as well as foreign policies, in his final State of the Nation Address (Sona), Malacañang said Wednesday.

“Now, ang alam ko po, ang magiging porma ng kanyang Sona, ay titignan po niya ‘yung nakalipas na limang taon na siya’y naging presidente at fofocus po siya syempre sa pag-unlad ng bayan at sa ating mga social programs, infrastructure, peace and security, foreign policy,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online press briefing.

(Now, from what I know, the format of his Sona is to look back on the past five years that he was president and focus on the improvements of the country in our social programs, infrastructure, peace and security, foreign policy.)

“Sasagutin niya ‘yung tanong na what and where we are now, and looking forward doon sa huling taon ng panunungkulan ng ating Presidente,” he added.

(He will answer questions on what and where we are now, and looking forward to his last year in office as our President.)

Roque said the President will be doing his first rehearsal for his Sona this Wednesday.

In terms of who will attend, Roque said the president’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, will skip her father’s final Sona while most of Duterte’s Cabinet members are expected to attend.

“Nagsabi na po si  Mayor Sara na hindi po siya makakarating pero inaasahan po natin na kung sino ‘yung mga nakarating last year ay makarating din po. Ang Gabinete rin po ay imbitado at inaasahan natin ang karamihan sa miyembro ng Gabinete ay makakarating din po,” Roque said.

(Mayor Sara has said she won’t be able to attend but we expect that those who attended last year will likewise attend this year. The Cabinet has also been invited, and we expect that many of them will attend.)

The President will deliver his final Sona on Monday, July 26.

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