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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP to attend SONA to hear Duterte's plans for COVID-19

VP to attend SONA to hear Duterte's plans for COVID-19

Published Jul 23, 2020 12:57 pm

Vice President  Leni Robredo will attend President Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, her spokesperson said on Thursday.

Vice-President Leni Robredo (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice-President Leni Robredo (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)

Vice Presidential spokesman Barry Gutierrez admitted he has yet to confirm the matter with Robredo but pointing to her consistent appearance in past SONAs, he believes she will once again be present this year.

“Hindi ko alam kung natanggap na niya iyong sulat kasi as of a few days ago, medyo sarado temporarily iyong aming opisina (I don’t know if she has already received the letter because as of a few days ago, our office has been closed),” he said in an interview with One News PH.

“Kung maitutuloy ito at mayroon namang mga patakaran o mga procedures para tiyakin na magiging ligtas iyong mga taong pupunta (If this would push through and it has rules or procedures to ensure the safety of those coming), I’m sure she will consider going,” he said.

Among others, the vice president wants Duterte to tackle the status of the government's COVID-19 response in his SONA.

“Siguro iyong mga inaasahan nating ma-spell out doon sa SONA: una, ano na iyong nagawa? Ano iyong hindi naabot at ano iyong kongkretong plano, malinaw na plano dito sa darating pang mga buwan na kailangan nating harapin itong krisis na ito (What we can expect to be spelled out in the SONA are: First, what are the accomplishments? What were those achieved and what are the concrete plans for this in the coming months that we have to face the crisis),” Gutierrez said.

“We’re not yet out of the woods. We have a long way to go. So kailangan maging malinaw sa ating mga kababayan, sa ating mga mamamayan, ano ba ang maaasahan natin sa gobyerno sa darating na mga buwan? (So it needs to be clear to our countrymen, our people, what can we expect from the government in the coming months?),” he added.  

Monday’s SONA is perceived to be historic given the hybrid format.

Duterte will deliver his nation address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City with a limited number of Congress members and guests in attendance. The rest of the officials and lawmakers will join virtually.

There will also be no fashion show in this year’s SONA compared to the previous years, Malacanang said.

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