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Alvarez prefers business attire over gowns, suits in Duterte's SONA


If Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez were to have his way, lawmakers and other politicians should attend the President's annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) wearing business outfits instead of glamorous custom gowns and suits.

The lawmaker, who is President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's chosen candidate for House Speaker in the incoming 17th Congress, said guests to the SONA should not dress up as if they're going to a party.

"Kung ano yung attire pag pupunta ka ng opisina, yun dapat. Hindi 'yung parang pupunta ka ng party," he said during the Inquirer Group's multimedia forum Tuesday when asked if female guests should do away with wearing gowns to the SONA.

Pressed on whether politicians should stop making the annual affair a fashion show, Alvarez answered in the affirmative.

"Hindi ka naman kasi kailangan pumorma doon. Business attire is okay na," he said.

Alvarez added that even the Civil Code frowns upon the display of wealth, especially when poverty remains rampant in the country.

Duterte will deliver his first SONA on July 25.

The outfits of politicians and other high-profile guests have been featured in the news during the SONAs of President Benigno Aquino III and his predecessors.

In 2013, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago proposed that guests in SONA wear a uniform, noting that the occasion has become a venue for politicians to show their "obsession [with] bling."

Meanwhile, Alvarez said he remains clueless as to what Duterte would say in his first SONA even though they are known to be close to each other.

The lawmaker, however, said he is hopeful that the President-elect's speech will not drag on for hours.

Duterte was known to ditch prepared speeches and speak extemporaneously during the campaign season.

"I really don't know [what Duterte will say] pero sana hindi katulad [noong pagsasalita niya sa kampanya] kasi mahaba 'yun," he said. —Xianne Arcangel/KBK, GMA News

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