Ex-Pres. Duterte confirmed attendance to SONA 2023 —House SecGen

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed his attendance to the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on July 24, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Wednesday.

“Yes, nag-confirm na, pati iyong anak niya, si [Vice President Sara Duterte], nag-confirm rin,” Velasco told reporters when asked if former President Duterte has confirmed his attendance.

(Yes, he has confirmed attendance, as well as his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.)

Velasco, however, could not say if Duterte and Sara Duterte will sit beside each other in the VIP gallery, saying "clearance" must be sought first from both persons in accordance with existing protocol.

“Kailangan kasi may clearance sa dalawa. Mapapansin niyo, ngayon kini-clear kasi namin sa mga VIP kung okay sa 'yo na katabi mo ito, ganyan. As much as possible we want them to be comfortable,” Velasco said.

(We would need clearance from the two. If you noticed, we clear the seat plan with the VIP, ask them if the are okay sitting beside each other.)

“Sometimes, we have to adjust. For some reason, gusto nila kasama iyong asawa nila, o iyong caregiver sa likod. We have accommodated all these types of requests. I have attended many SONAs, I know the sentiments of all types of guests,” he added.

(Sometimes, we have to adjust. For some reason they want to sit beside their wife or husband, or they want a caregiver nearby. We have accommodated all these types of requests. I have attended many SONAs, I know the sentiments of all types of guests.)

Duterte was in China earlier this week where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I hope you will continue to play an important role in the friendly cooperation (between China and the Philippines)," state media cited Xi as saying during a meeting at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse in Beijing. 

SONA guests

Velasco said there will be a special room for guests with comorbidities and the elderly. 

“We can accommodate more guests if need be, and there is one function room for types of guests who have medical conditions and seniors, meaning those aged 65, 70 above,” he said. 

“We have a lot of guests who already informed us they are in favor of such setup since it is convenient. They will also have simple merienda, coffee and water.''

Velasco said a famous artist will sing the national anthem during the SONA.

He refused to identify the singer.

A choir from Tacloban will perform at the opening of the 19th Congress' Second Regular Session in the House of Representatives in the morning, Velasco said.

“The choir [from Tacloban] will also be serenading the guests after the SONA in the center lobby, while they wait for their transportation, cocktails,” Velasco added. —KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News