6 Palace personnel set to attend SONA tested positive for COVID-19 -Andanar

Published July 27, 2020 02:35 PM By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News

Six Palace personnel who were supposed to attend President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa contracted COVID-19, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Monday.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Andanar said the swab test results of the Palace personnel came back positive.

House Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel

also announced earlier in the day that he tested positive for the virus. Only those who will test negative for COVID-19 will be allowed to attend the SONA physically based on the event's safety protocols.

Despite the development, Duterte will speak at the Batasang Pambansa as planned.

“As of 1:20 pm, President Duterte is still scheduled to give his 5th SONA at the Batasang Pambansa,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a message to reporters.

Duterte will deliver his SONA before a joint session of Congress at 4 p.m.—AOL, GMA News

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