by Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte will give a realistic second State-of-the-Nation Address today, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte’s speech, will be “frank, challenging, realistic, but hopeful.”
“The President’s State-of-the-Nation Address will be rendered in broad strokes, reviewing past achievements, stating the present situation, and announcing future prospects,” Abella said.
According to the Palace official, Duterte’s speech is written in English and should take approximately 50 minutes if read straight. But Malacañang is anticipating that the President is set to go off-tangent like he usually does.
“Given there will be pauses for applause and off-the-cuff remarks, the speech may take about an hour and thirty minutes,” Abella said.
The theme of this year’s SONA is “A Comfortable Life for All.”
Abella said Duterte’s speech will be made available online shortly after its delivery.
According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office, the SONA, which is scheduled to start at 4 p.m., will be aired live on PTV-4, the Presidential Communications Facebook page, and the RTVM YouTube channel. The hashtag #DuterteSONA2017 will be used for social media postings.
The PCOO hired language interpreters for those with auditory impairment. Spanish, French, German, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese interpreters are also provided for the diplomats present during the event.
An English translator is on standby to interpret the President’s vernacular lines for attending foreign dignitaries.
A technical report titled “President’s Report to the People” will be uploaded online. Printed copies will be distributed to selected schools, embassies, government offices, and other institutions following the event.
The PCOO said stricter security measures are enforced in anticipation of all possible threats. A no-fly zone, which includes drones, will be in effect during the SONA.
