Despite the uncertainty of President Duterte's personally delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the House of Representatives, leaders of the legislative chamber want to ensure its wall-to-wall sanitation in preparation for Monday’s big event.

This developed as another employe of the Lower House tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19, the 17th to be reported since the pandemic was declared in mid-March.

Secretary General Jose Luis Montales said the infected staff reported for work on July 14 and 16.

“Again, we emphasize that we need to strictly follow the health protocols specified in our Guidelines dated 1 May 2020 and Supplemental Guidelines dated 4 July 2020.  Nothing short of collective action can keep everyone safe,” Montales said in a statement.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said there remains no assurance that Duterte will go to the plenary hall of the House of Representatives where the SONA is traditionallly delivered.

“But I know for a fact na ang gusto talaga ng Pangulo ay makapunta at doon ibigay, kasi that’s part of his leadership. (That the President really wants go and deliver it there, because that’s part of his leadership),” Cayetano told a press conference yesterday.

Nevertheless, Cayetano assured the executive department that whatever the decision will be, the plenary hall will be cleaned and fully sanitized to discount the possibility of viral infection when SONA is held.

“So I expect the SONA to really be historic, because it's the first time that the whole world will have this kind of crisis,” he said.

Meanwhile, the House public information office has released the media advisory for the SONA.

Under the rules, only the Presidential Broadcast Staff- Radio Television Malacanang (PBS-RTVM) will be granted coverage access to the SONA.

“Media are advised to hook up to the live feed of PTV or the live stream of the Presidential Communications and RTVM Facebook pages and RTVM YouTube Channel,” it was announced.