BY ARGYLL GEDUCOS
Malacañang said that President Duterte’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) today at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City will push through despite the rising COVID-19 cases at the House of Representatives.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) reported 13 active COVID-19 cases at its main office in Malacañang.
In a text message, Roque said the SONA will still be delivered live instead of doing it virtually.
“As planned,” Roque said when asked if Duterte will push through going to Batasang Pambansa despite the development.
In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB on Saturday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the SONA will happen at the original venue.
“Mukhang preparado naman ang lahat, ang Kongreso, lalo na sa kanilang pagtanggap kay Pangulong Duterte sa House of Representatives,” he added.
Nograles reiterated that the SONA will be different due to the limitations set by the COVID-19 community quarantine.
“Ang kaibahan nga lang is ilan lang ang makaka-attend – piling-pili lang po para magkaroon talaga ng social distancing,” he said.
“Para naman sa kaligtasan ng lahat ito,” he added.
Fifteen Cabinet Secretaries were allowed to be at the Batasang Pambansa today. Nograles, however, said he was still not sure who these Cabinet members are. (Argyll Geducos)
