President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 will once again follow a simplified format, similar to last year’s event, according to House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil.
Garafil made the announcement during the first Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting held at the House of Representatives on Tuesday as government agencies began preparations for the annual address.
Among those present at the meeting was newly appointed Senate Secretary Renato Bantug, who serves under Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian. Representatives from the Presidential Security Command, Radio Television Malacañang and the Philippine National Police also attended the gathering.
According to Garafil, organizers do not plan to install a red carpet for this year’s event. She also said attendees are expected to avoid wearing elaborate gowns and other extravagant attire, marking a continuation of the simpler approach adopted during the previous SONA.
Garafil confirmed that invitations for the event are already being prepared. Guests attending the address will be encouraged to wear simple Filipiniana dresses or Barong Tagalog as part of the event’s dress guidelines.
The annual State of the Nation Address is a constitutionally mandated report delivered by the president before a joint session of Congress. It serves as an opportunity for the chief executive to outline the administration’s accomplishments, priorities and legislative agenda.
Meanwhile, Bantug assured organizers of the Senate’s cooperation in the conduct of the SONA. He also joked during the meeting that he did not expect to return to the House of Representatives amid the current situation in the Senate.
Preparations for the July 27 event are expected to continue in the coming weeks as participating agencies coordinate security, logistics and broadcast arrangements for the president’s address.
