The House of Representatives has begun its preparations for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This was revealed in a five-page memorandum dated Monday and signed by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
The 1987 Constitution provides that the President’s SONA happens on the 4th Monday of July. This year, Mr. Marcos will address Congress on July 24.
“Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution and following established traditions, the second regular session of the 19th Congress will convene on 24 July 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives (HRep),” the memorandum read.
“At 4 p.m. the same day, the joint session of Congress will be held to hear the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” added the memo, which was addressed to House members, secretariat officials and personnel, and congressional staff.
The Batasan Complex in Quezon City is the traditional site of the President’s annual speech.
A one-kilometer no-fly zone over the House complex shall be imposed from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 24, the memo added.
“All non-SONA transactions are suspended from 20-24 July 2023,” it said. Per tradition, everyone is encouraged to wear Barong or Filipiniana-inspired attire on SONA day.
“Clothes and items with political messages shall not be allowed or displayed inside HRep premises,” it said.
Picture-taking at the rostrum of the plenary hall after the SONA or adjournment of the joint session is prohibited, it noted.
Congress is set to adjourn sine die on June 2 — to mark the end of the First of Three Regular Sessions of the 19th Congress.
Prior to the President’s SONA in the afternoon, both chambers of Congress will hold their respective sessions in the morning to open
the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress.
