Duterte to undergo COVID-19 testing before SONA — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte will undergo COVID-19 swab test ahead of his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque replied in the affirmative when asked during his regular briefing if the President will take the RT-PCR test.

The President will physically deliver his SONA before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

On Wednesday, House Deputy Secretary General for Administration Department Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque said in a briefing that lawmakers and their staff who will attend the SONA will be required to undergo swab testing as well as rapid testing for COVID-19

The House official said persons who will test positive in either of the COVID-19 tests will no longer be allowed to attend the SONA physically.

Fifteen Cabinet members and 50 lawmakers will be allowed to witness the President’s address. 

Earlier in the day, House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales confirmed that a third House employee had died due to COVID-19. — RSJ, GMA News