Leni declines SONA invite; Duterte, Erap going

MANILA, Philippines — More than 2,000 guests have confirmed attendance at President Marcos’ second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Batasang Pambansa complex, Quezon City on July 24.

Former presidents Joseph Estrada and Rodrigo Duterte have confirmed they are going, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who emphasized the chamber is ready even if the SONA is held today or tomorrow.

Among those who sent regrets is former vice president Leni Robredo.

“Almost all the guest list is complete … Over 2,000 guests and we have some reserved seats for those who will request (at the) last minute,” he told House reporters.

Velasco added there is already a sitting arrangement for the “VVIPs” such as First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in the front row with the other former first ladies, former presidents, former Senate presidents and former House speakers.

Robredo, who lost the presidential race in 2022 to Marcos, has confirmed that she will not attend the SONA. According to Velasco, Robredo was invited but she declined.

In addition, Velasco could not ascertain if Duterte would be seated beside his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

“We clear it with the VIPs who they want to be seated with. As much as possible, we want them to be comfortable… For some reasons, maybe they want to be with their family, or they want their caregiver at their back,” he said.

There will also be seats designated for the VIPs’ families, diplomatic corps and Cabinet members.

For the diplomatic community, he said the sitting arrangement is based on seniority or date of accreditation in the Philippines.

He noted the House also prepared a function room if there would be additional last-minute guests, as this is part of the contingency measures that they have laid down.

“We also prepared one function room for guests with medical conditions and those who are seniors or those above 65 or 70 years old. They will have access to the comfort room anytime they come in and they are not required to be seated while watching the SONA,” he added.

There will also be a wide screen to be set up for those who do not want to come inside the plenary hall where their movements will be restricted.

Velasco said Filipino food will be served to the guests, such as beef tapa and tocino for meals and puto bumbong, bibingka, palitaw, kesong puti and pan de sal for snacks.

Security

Velasco said the Batasan complex will be on lockdown starting today to give time to the House security groups, Presidential Security Group, Philippine National Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and other participating security groups to secure not only the complex but the areas within the vicinity.

“We want to ensure that this place will be secured by Monday and that is the purpose of the lockdown but we’ll still be here,” he added.