Duterte arrives at Batasan for 4th SONA
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 08:56:26 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte arrived on Monday afternoon at the House of Representatives in Quezon City for his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Duterte arrived onboard the presidential chopper at 4:55 p.m.
The Chief Executive was received by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of-Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Senate sergeant-at-arms Rene Samonte, and House sergeant-at-arms Rolando Detabali.
Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed Duterte at the end of the military honor guards formation.
The President proceeded to the Legislator’s Lounge and will proceed to the plenary hall to deliver his fourth SONA scheduled at 4 p.m.
Former presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo graced the annual event. Then president Benigno Aquino 3rd skipped his successor’s fourth SONA.
Vice President Leonor “Leni” Robredo, the second highest official in the land, was also present to witness the President’s fourth SONA, despite her differing political stance with the current administration.
The Palace had said the President was expected to veer away from his usual lengthy speeches, since a three-part fora highlighting the current administration’s achievements have been held before his fourth SONA.
Last year, the President’s SONA lasted for 48 minutes, considered his shortest so far.
Duterte, known for his long impromptu speeches, opted to read an expletive-free speech after a House leadership scuffle delayed the SONA activity.
His 2016 SONA lasted for one and a half hours while his 2017 speech went on for two hours. CATHERINE S. VALENTE