'Change has come' but SONA budget stays the same — preps team

"Change has come" but apparently, not when it comes to the budget for the State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

The budget for President Rodrigo Duterte's first SONA on July 25 is the same as the one for former President Benigno Simeon Aquino's last SONA on July 27 last year.

In an interview with Kara David on Thursday on "News To Go," incoming Department of Finance spokesperson Attorney Paola Alvarez, a member of the SONA preparations team, said the budget for this year's SONA has already been earmarked by the previous administration.

Alvarez is working with the SONA Preparations Team to help her father, presumptive House Speaker Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon "Betong" Alvarez.

"It has already been allocated from the previous budget. When we stepped in, there was already an allocated budget," she said, adding that she is not privy to the exact amount that the Task Force SONA was given.

Alvarez noted that Duterte does not want a spectacle, meaning that certain aspects of the SONA will be toned down.

Aside from the dress code which changed from formal to business attire, Alvarez said the President did not want to be welcomed by a large group, as was the practice in past SONAs.

Only the Speaker of the House, the Senate President, and the majority leaders of both chambers will welcome Duterte when he arrives at the rear entrance of the Batasang Pambansa. 

"Pero siyempre, bilang pagbibigay pugay, because it is the first time that he will actually meet the (representatives), he will also interact with them pero sa dulo pa 'yon ng ating program," Alvarez clarified.

Alvarez also explained that while they're keeping things spare and uncluttered, the SONA is still a state function.

"Kasi po ito ay state function, so kailangan it is still elegant," she said. "We go for simplicity, but at the same time, it still looks presentable as a state function." — Aya Tantiangco/VVP, GMA News