Duterte SONA may be held in Malacañang if Batasan guests test positive for virus

By Prince Golez

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday raised the possibility that President Rodrigo Duterte will deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Malacañang.

Duterte will deliver his annual speech at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Monday.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Andanar said the final venue of the President’s SONA will depend on the coronavirus test results of the government officials who will be physically attending the event at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.

“Iyong pagdadausan ng State of the Nation Address ay nandiyan pa rin sa Mababang Kapulungan. Pero ito’y magdidepende, Orly, sa magiging resulta ng swabbing ng mga bisita sa araw na iyon,” according to the secretary.

“Ang usapan ay same day, same day swabbing. Kasi mayroong swabbing na 45 minutes ay malalaman mo na ang resulta. So kung mayroong magpositibo, malaki ang pagkakataon na ito ay ilipat na lamang sa Option B – diyan na lang sa Rizal Hall,” he also said.

Andanar added that they have prepared “Zoom viewing rooms” for Cabinet officials, local chief executives, Sangguniang Kabataan officials, and overseas Filipino workers.

“Ang aming requirement sa mga dadalo, kailangan naka-barong pa rin, naka-Filipiniana, you know, in respect to the State of the Nation Address,” he concluded.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)