House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Sunday he is expecting President Duterte to deliver a “message of hope” in his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address at the Batasang Pambasan in Quezon City Monday.
(Alan Peter Cayetano / Facebook page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
He said they are expecting 50 people at the Batasang Pambansa for the SONA, including the Chief Executive.
“Maganda po na duon gawin (It will be good if it will be held there) dahil (because) it will show some normalcy and will show people na kung anuman ang pagsubok natin kami sa gobyerno (whatever trials we face in the government) pipilitin natin na gawin ang ating trabaho (we still do our work). Having said that, ayaw naman natin na magmula ang new cases (we don’t the new cases come from us),” he said in an interview over DZBB after the House recorded 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
"As of now, tuloy doon tomorrow (It will push through there) pero 50 people lang po ang papayagang pumasok (but only 50 people will be allowed to go), kasama na ang kongresista, kasama na ang mga senador, and of course ang ating Pangulo at kanyang mga kasama (including the congressmen, the senators, and of course, the President and his company),” he said.
He assured the public that necessary safety and security measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of the President, the members of the Legislative, and other guests.
“We will take all precaution,” Cayetano said.
He noted that there is “back up plan” should the authorities find it unsafe for the President and his guests to come to the Batasang Pambansa.
"Nandiyan ang posibilidad (There’s this the possibility) at tandaan ninyo nasa Quezon City tayo (and remember we are in Quezon City),” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said so far he finds Duterte administration “very successful” in delivering his promise to the people.
"The way I described it, very controversial, but very successful. Controversial because the President went kept on with corruption, with drugs, with very controversial issues. Pero nagbago lahat 'yan nung nagkaroon ng COVID (It all changed because of COVID), kaya nga 'yung challenge natin ngayon (that’s why the challenge here): How can we have different of opinion pero still be united?” he said.