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Quick facts: SONA 2026

Published Jul 26, 2026 02:50 am
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), the House plenary hall (MANILA BULLETIN)
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), the House plenary hall (MANILA BULLETIN)


President Marcos has two more State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) left to deliver, with the penultimate one coming this Monday, July 27 at the House of Representatives before a joint session of Congress.
Will the leader from Ilocandia opt to go on autopilot from now on and avoid conflict? Or will he ruffle feathers anew with a memorable line akin to last year's "Mahiya naman kayo (Have some shame)?"
The answer to these questions are unknown, unlike the following tidbits about Marcos' SONA 2026.
- Like last year's SONA, this year's event will follow a "simple but dignified theme". This was announced by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil last June 9, a day after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Sarangani and other parts of Mindanao.
- Garafil said there will be no red carpet for the SONA. Traditionally, the red carpet gala for the guests is a highlight of the event.
- Barring a dramatic turn of events, Vice President Sara Duterte won't be attending the SONA. She's abroad and won't be back until July 31. The last time she attended a SONA was in 2023, when she and Marcos were still political allies.
- Garafil admitted that the House as an institution was "distracted" from preparing for the SONA by Duterte's ongoing Senate impeachment trial. But she said it was nothing to worry about as, since the House has a "template" for the event.
- The House of Representatives carried out light renovations ahead of the SONA.
- An estimated 2,000 guests are expected at the House of Representatives on Monday.
- Monday will also mark the start of second regular session of the current 20th Congress. Sessions will officially resume in the morning, while the SONA itself will take place in the afternoon.
- This year's SONA is the first for Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III as House Speaker.
- This will also be Senator Sherwin Gatchalian's first as Senate President.
- The militant Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives will wear its traditional "protest outfits".
- Vice President Duterte's Senate impeachment trial will be postponed until July 29 as a result of the SONA and the traditional contra-SONA by minority lawmakers.
- More than 20,000 policemen are expected to be deployed to the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City on SONA day.
- Cyber security for the SONA is also a main concern of the police.
- The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will establish a Multi‑Agency Coordinating Center (MACC) and deploy personnel to key areas as part of its security preparations.
- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chorale will perform the Philippine national anthem during this year's SONA.

Related Tags

SONA PBBM House of Representatives Marcos
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