Palace: Duterte’s 3rd SONA to tackle only issues close to his heart

Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July will have a new format and tackle only issues close to the chief executive’s heart.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Tuesday, “Talagang iyong SONA will be the President talking to the people and reporting to the people on matters na malapit sa puso po ng ating Presidente.”

“May bagong format at ang mangyayari, iyong SONA really, malilimita siya doon sa mga gusto talagang sabihin ng Presidente sa taongbayan. Iyong mga achievement, siguro may mga ibang pagkakataon nang iisa-isahin iyan,” Roque added.

The Palace Spokesperson, however, clarified that Duterte’s SONA would tackle his administration’s fight against corruption, one of his campaign promises.

“Doon po lumabas na iyong kampanya niya sa korapsyon ay wala pong tigil at wala pong kupas iyong kampanya,” Roque said.

As for the new format, Roque did not elaborate, saying he does not want to preempt the president.

However, Roque mentioned that SONA was brought up during the 25th Cabinet meeting in Malacanang on Monday.

In his two previous SONAs, Duterte did not stick to his script and went on to slam his critics.

READ: Duterte bullies ‘enemies of state’ in SONA

Duterte will deliver his third SONA on July 23 this year./vvp