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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SONA preps at full throttle; fake news a big concern

SONA preps at full throttle; fake news a big concern

Published Jun 18, 2025 12:05 pm  |  Updated Jun 18, 2025 03:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Key offices and agencies have stepped up their preparations for President Marcos' anticipated fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
The House of Representatives (PPAB)
The House of Representatives (PPAB)

Key offices and agencies have stepped up their preparations for President Marcos' anticipated fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
This, after the House of Representatives, represented by Secretary General Reginald Velasco, led an inter-agency meeting on the SONA on Tuesday, June 17.
Also joining the meeting were officials from the Office of the President and the Senate.
Aside from the regular preparations, Velasco called on the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to also prepare against fake news that may be posted in various social media platforms in the days leading to the SONA and immediately after. 
PCO Secretary Jaybee Ruiz emphasized the need for integration, alignment and unified messaging among government agencies in the lead-up to the SONA.
“What we did with the Presidential Communications Office, we aligned everything, all the attached agencies,” Ruiz said. 
These include PTV-4, IBC-13, Radyo Pilipinas and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
“What we did was integrate and align everyone so the focus is SONA, especially this coming SONA,” he added. 
Ruiz reckoned that messaging from the government must be consistent and easily understood by the public. He also underscored the importance of managing online disinformation to maintain accurate public information during the SONA.
“The purpose is to strengthen government communication so that every Filipino would know what the government is doing for them. Plus, every Filipino should know what benefits they can get from the government,” he said. 
Senate Office of International Relations and Protocol Director General Antonio De Guzman Jr. affirmed their readiness in all steps of the preparation for the annual event.
Meanwhile, House Inter-Parliamentary and Public Affairs Department Deputy Secretary General Grace Andres presented the SONA invitation and expounded on the SONA calendar and collaterals. She then reiterated the June 23 deadline for partner agencies to submit their guest lists. 
Other topics discussed in the meeting include the program sequence, plenary, and room assignments, security and protocol arrangements, and medical updates — most of which followed a draft similar to last year’s preparations to ensure continuity and efficiency in execution.

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NATIONAL NEWS State of the Nation Address (SONA)
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