Duterte’s first SONA ‘thriftiest, simplest’ —House official

The first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte is the simplest and thriftiest so far in terms of preparations, House Deputy Secretary General Artemio Adaza Jr. said Monday morning.

“Yung pagkakaiba kaysa mga nakaraang SONA, unang-una, ang preparation natin ay ang pinakasimple at pinakamatipid so far sa mga SONA na nadaan ko dito,” Adaza said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Adaza said that the budget allocation for Duterte's first SONA was P3 million, a million-peso cheaper from the budget for the last SONA of former President Benigno Aquino III, which was around P4 million.

Aside from the lower budget, Adaza said that the SONA scenarios this year have also been simplified.

Only four persons -- the House Speaker, the Senate President, and the majority floor leader of both chambers -- will welcome Duterte in his arrival at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, away from the usual 20-man welcoming party.

The red carpet at the Batasan building's lobby has been placed to welcome legislators and guests, but Adaza clarified it is not a “red carpet” meant for a fashion show for guests to flaunt their outfits.

Malacañang earlier said Duterte’s SONA would be a “step away from the norm” with guests told to just wear business attire.

The Palace had also set a cheaper set menu including native chips, monggo soup, and fresh lumpia, among others which is a stark contrast from the steak served in 2015.

Adaza said during the interview that the Batasang Pambansa Complex is ready to host Duterte’s first SONA and called on the guests to arrive early.

“All systems go. We would like to remind our guests, as much as possible, you be here at 3 p.m. because at 2 p.m. we already open the plenary session and we close at 3:30 p.m.,” he said.

Security preparations

A report by Ivan Mayrina on Unang Balita said the Presidential Security Group arrived early on Monday to implement the security plan at the Batasang Pambansa grounds.

An x-ray machine was also placed at the North Wing Lobby for all guests to place their belongings for security inspection.

Members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the contingency team from the National Capital Region Police Office were strictly told to implement maximum tolerance towards the rallyists.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said he expects minimal resistance on the side of the militant groups, who have been allowed to occupy and hold programs at the Serbisyong Bayan Park along the Batasan Road.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. marked Monday as an historic day for progressive groups after they were allowed to go near the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

Reyes said the militant groups are gathering outside the complex to push the agenda of the people and at the same time support the agenda of Duterte. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News