Duterte to deliver SONA at Batasan despite COVID-19 cases in Malacañang, House — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte will push through with his plan to be physically present at the Batasang Pambansa to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address despite COVID-19 cases in Malacañang and the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the President’s attendance will send a message that Filipinos should “dance” with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Physically, he has said he will go. I think it’s also to send the message that we continue to live our lives despite COVID-19,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“Sasayawan po natin ang sakit. Gagawin po natin ang katungkulan. Mabubuhay po tayo sa kabila ng COVID-19.”

At least 18 employees of the House of Representatives, which is located inside the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, have tested positive for COVID-19. An employee of the Presidential Communications Operations Office has also contracted the virus.

‘Work goes on’

Roque admitted that there is a reason to be worried about these cases given that the President, now 75 years old, belongs to the group with increased risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Older people and individuals with underlying medical conditions are the most vulnerable to the disease.

However, Roque said work goes on for the President.

“He may be vulnerable pero patuloy pa rin po ang kanyang trabaho bilang isang Presidente,” the Palace official said.

In a statement, Presidential Security Group commander Colonel Jesus Durante III said they will implement additional health security measures for the SONA. Durante did not elaborate.

“With the ongoing pandemic, PSG will enforce additional health security measures adopted from the implementing guidelines of the PSG Task Force COVID-19, Department of Health (DOH), and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), as expected,” Durante said.

“So far, inter-agency meetings with all the involved security agencies have already been conducted and continuous collaborations are in place.”

The PSG chief assured the public of a “360-degree shield for the President.”

At least 15 Cabinet members will join the President at the Batasang Pambansa, Roque said. Twenty-five congressmen and the senators will also be present.

Roque said he has no information yet regarding the Duterte family members who may attend the SONA.

Only the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang will be allowed inside the Batasang Pambansa to cover the SONA as the government advised the media to hook up to its live feed of the speech. — RSJ, GMA News