No SONA fashion 2020: Lawmakers keep it simple for the opening of the 2nd regular session in Senate

Unlike the usual and previous opening sessions of the Congress on the day of the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA), politicians arrived at the Senate hall on Monday morning dressed down with no plus ones, to follow protocols amid the pandemic.

Senator Grace Poe wore a classic white tea-length dress and a full face mask gear during the opening of the second regular session in the Senate.

LOOK: Senator Grace Poe wears a classic white dress during the opening of the second regular session in the Senate.

Poe is not among the eight senators who will be physically present at Batasang Pambansa for the 5th SONA later in the afternoon. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/xCpmmgbAD5

— Dona Magsino (@donamagsino) July 27, 2020

Senator Pia Cayetano paired a royal blue pair of pants with a 3/4 sleeved top that featured a local weave that matched her face mask.

Today the @senatePH opened its 2nd regular session under the 18th Congress. 17 of us were physically present in the session hall; 6 attended via teleconferencing. Strict health protocols & social distancing measures were observed for the safety of everyone in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/bhpuQdGZ0c

— pia cayetano (@piacayetano) July 27, 2020

Meanwhile, Senate President Tito Sotto wore a simple barong with a hint of blush as he delivered his message at the opening of the second regular session in the Senate.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, during his message at the opening of the second regular session in Senate said improving the digital highway, distance learning, ensuring
public transport, encouraging new businesses, and supporting arts are vital amid the pandemic. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Qir177tY4G

— Dona Magsino (@donamagsino) July 27, 2020

Just the same, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian arrived in a simple short-sleeved white barong with his face mask on.

LOOK: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian arrives at the Senate building for the opening of the 2nd regular session. State security forces wearing face masks and face shields were spotted in the background. @gmanews

???? Office of Sen. Gatchalian pic.twitter.com/9OiOJLlucp

— Dona Magsino (@donamagsino) July 27, 2020

Senator Nancy Binay wore a white barong embellished with a large ruffle over a black jumpsuit and completed it with a face mask and a face shield. In her tweet, Binay said "plastic barriers were installed at the session hall while social distancing and safety precautions were observed as part of the new normal."

She posed with colleagues including Sen. Sonny Angara, Sem. Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Joel Villanueva for a simple class photo.

During the opening of the second regular session of the 18th Congress. Plastic barriers were installed at the session hall while social distancing and safety precautions were observed as part of the new normal. pic.twitter.com/lY14zt92OT

— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) July 27, 2020

Women legislators in the House of Representatives are expected to wear a special but simple brooch called "Araw" as they attend the President's SONA to make this year’s event “memorable and relevant by the simple gesture of wearing the Araw Brooch.”

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Guimboo said the brooch was created by the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC) and was designed by a young Filipino accessory brand that works with various Gawad Kalinga communities.

Meanwhile, a report on 24 Oras weekend said officials who would physically attend President Rodrigo Duterte's SONA were swab tested for COVID-19 including the President himself who tested negative.

Only a maximum of 50 people will be allowed to witness the President deliver his SONA at the Batasang Pambansa due to the pandemic. — LA, GMA News