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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House to begin 5-day pre-SONA lockdown next week

House to begin 5-day pre-SONA lockdown next week

Published Jul 16, 2025 04:17 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives in Quezon City will begin its five-day lockdown period on Wednesday, July 23, ahead of President Marcos fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) the following week.
House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


The House of Representatives in Quezon City will begin its five-day lockdown period on Wednesday, July 23, ahead of President Marcos fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) the following week.
This was confirmed in an advisory sent to House reporters on Wednesday, July 16.
"The Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will begin preparations for the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23, 2025, the start of the lockdown period for the House of Representatives Complex. The RTVM will use the Media Center and the Press Conference Area," the advisory read.
"During the lockdown period, only essential personnel shall be permitted entry to the complex," it added.
The SONA will take place on Monday afternoon, July 28 at Batasan Complex, home of the House of Representatives, before a joint session of Congress (House and Senate).
Excluding the time of the pandemic, the five-day pre-SONA lockdown is the longest in recent memory.
Usually, the pre-SONA lockdown lasts three days. No official reason has been given for the lengthier lockdown.
On Monday, July 21, House officials led by Secretary General Reginald Velasco will hold the final walkthrough-slash-occular inspection with media at Batasan Complex before big day.
Last Tuesday, July 15, officials of the Office of the President (OP), House, and Senate met at Malacañang for their final coordination meeting for the this year's SONA.
Velasco--the highest-ranked civilian official in the House--described this year's SONA as another opportunity to "raise the bar even higher," recalling the success of the previous SONAs.
"We have a great challenge ahead of us. Over the years, we have consistently set a high standard through the effective conduct of past SONAs," he said.
Topics discussed in the meeting ranged from security plans, traffic rerouting to contingency measures to details such as the person chosen to sing the national anthem. For this year, the singer will be The Voice Season 26 winner Mr. Sofronio Velasquez. 
As in previous years, zipper lanes shall be set up along Commonwealth Avenue, beginning at the Quezon Memorial Circle to the HRep Complex on July 28, beginning 9 a.m.
Officials from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) nonetheless gave assurances that vehicle flow shall not be impeded. 
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