Malacañang said President Duterte's final State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week will tell the public where the Philippines is now under his administration, and what can they expect in his last year in office.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement days before Duterte delivers his last SONA on Monday, July 26.
In his press briefing on Wednesday, July 21, Roque said the President's landmark speech was already finalized and that he was scheduled to have his first SONA rehearsal on Wednesday.
"May rehearsal po si Presidente ngayon para sa SONA. Ito po yung kauna-unahang rehearsal niya so naisapinal na po ang kaniyang talumpati (The President is set to have his first SONA rehearsal today so his speech has been finalized)," he said.
"Based on past SONAs, ayaw ni Presidente na binabago yung kanyang speech pero in the end, siya po ang nag-e-edit (the President doesn't like to have changes in his speech but in the end, he is the one who makes the edits) as he rehearses," he added.
According to Roque, President Duterte's SONA will look back at his presidency and his important programs.
"Ang magiging porma ng SONA niya (President Duterte) ay titignan niya ang nakalipas na limang taong siya'y naging Presidente (His SONA will look back at the past five years that he was President)," Roque said.
"Po-focus siya, siyempre, sa pag-unlad ng bayan, sa ating mga (He will focus, of course, on the country's growth, our) social programs, infrastructure, peace and security, foreign policy," he added.
The President will likewise tell the public where the Philippines currently was.
"Sasagutin niya ang tanong na (He will answer the questions) 'What and where are we now?', and 'Looking forward' doon sa huling taon ng panunungkulan ng ating Presidente (on his last year as the President)," Roque said.
Arrangements
Meanwhile, when it comes to arrangements, Roque said this year's SONA will just be like in 2020 where strict measures were implemented to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
It was reported that only fully vaccinated guests will be allowed at the Batasan Pambansa on the day of the SONA. Rapid tests will also be conducted at the House of Representatives.
Roque said members of the Cabinet were invited and that most of them would be present during the event. However, presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will not be able to make it.
Vice President Leni Robredo was not invited to physically attend the SONA but will be virtually attending the event. Roque, however, clarified that it was the House of Representatives that sent the invitations, not Malacañang.
Roque added that he was not aware if the past presidents were invited, noting that all of them were already senior citizens.
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) had assured the public that President Duterte's last SONA will go smoothly despite protocols being implemented against COVID-19.
Before the pandemic, SONAs used to be filled with attendees. There also was a red carpet where government officials and their wives had the chance to show off their fashion sense and advocacies.
However, last year, even members of the media were prohibited inside the Batasan premises and were only allowed to tap into the broadcast feed of state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) for their coverage.