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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'All systems go' for SONA 2023, says House exec

'All systems go' for SONA 2023, says House exec

Published Jul 20, 2023 09:15 am
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco (Contributed photo)





House Secretary General Reginald Velasco says that it's "all systems go" for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) this coming Monday, July 24. Velasco made the assessment during an interview with House reporters Thursday afternoon, July 20 within the grounds of Batasan Complex in Quezon City, where the SONA will be held. Thursday was also the first day of the pre-SONA lockdown at Batasan. This is part of the security protocols. Up until Sunday, July 23, only essential personnel would be allowed to enter Batasan, which is the home of the House of Representatives. "Opo, opo (Yes, yes), all systems go," Velasco told reporters. He bared that he has updated House Speaker Martin Romualdez about the preparations for the big event. "Ni-report namin yun preparations namin (We've reported to him our preparations) He is very happy, very satisfied with it," Velasco, the high-ranked civilian official in the House, said of Romualdez. "Ang sinabi lang sakin (What I was told is), be prepared for the extra guests, yung mga last minute...we're prepared to accommodate these last minute, additional guests. As I've said, we have opened a big function room for all of them," he said. He said that over 2,000 guests are expected for this year's SONA. Velasco joked to the reporters that an interview within Batasan during lockdown shouldn't have been allowed, and that it was only due to the media's good working relationship with the House leadership that it was permitted. "Nakiusap lang ako dahil kailangan ding makita nung media yung preparations natin. Para kumalat na secured talaga tong lugar na to by Monday (I just made a request because media should also see our preparations. It should be known that this place would truly be secured by Monday)," he explained. Velasco had actually arranged for the interview the previous day.

Related Tags

State of the Nation Address reginald velasco House of Representatives Martin Romualdez
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