DOJ suspends work for Marcos' 5th SONA

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday suspended work in view of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a memorandum, the Justice Department said work at the DOJ Central Office was suspended at 11 a.m.

LIVE UPDATES: Pres. Marcos' 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA)

"This is to allow its employees the opportunity to watch and listen to the SONA as well as in anticipation of heavy traffic and possible disruptions to public transportation," it said.

Meanwhile, the DOJ said that all frontline services shall maintain a skeleton workforce to receive communications, letters, affidavits, motions, and pleadings.

The Palace previously said the SONA will be “simple but dignified” and will not feature celebrity directors or A-list personalities from the entertainment industry.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said that Marcos’ rehearsal lasted one hour and 20 minutes.

More than 20,000 police officers were deployed for SONA 2026. —VAL, GMA News