Headline
80% of invitees confirm attendance in PBBM’s maiden SONA
Meanwhile, he noted that Marcos has preferred a simple SONA. (File Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)
MANILA – House of Representatives Secretary-General Mark Llandro Mendoza on Wednesday said 70 to 80 percent of invitees to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) have confirmed their attendance.
“We sent out mga around 1,360 invitations, so we’re just waiting for the confirmation. Pero around 70 to 80 percent nagconfirm na (Around 70 to 80 percent have already confirmed their attendance),” Mendoza said.
Mendoza said former President and Speaker now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former President Joseph Estrada have confirmed their attendance, while former President Rodrigo Duterte and former Vice President Leni Robredo have yet to send their replies.
He said Vice President Sara Duterte will be attending the big event.
Others who are expected to grace the SONA are members of the diplomatic corps and the country’s justices, he noted.
“Lahat ng (All the) governors were also invited,” he said.
Meanwhile, he noted that Marcos has preferred a simple SONA.
“Ang gusto ng Malacañang, ng Pangulo ay maging simple at more on traditional (ang SONA). Walang glamor, basta simple lang (Malacañang and the President want a simple and more traditional (SONA). No glamor, just simple),” he said.
He said among the SONA performers is a choir group from Ilocos who will sing the national anthem.
As to the SONA rehearsals to be done by film director Paul Soriano, Mendoza said he is unsure if it will be on Thursday or Friday.
Mendoza also unveiled the marker on the renovation of the Plenary Hall.
The marker states that the renovation “is a manifestation of the collective commitment of the House Members of the 18th Congress to uphold the institution’s dignity, preserve the nation’s legislative history, and enrich the Filipino people’s democratic heritage.”
It further provides that the renovation was done through the initiative and stewardship of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
The marker bears the name of the officials of the 18th Congress led by Speaker Velasco, Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano, all the Deputy Speakers, Committee on Accounts Chairman Rep. Paolo Duterte, Mendoza, as well as Sergeant-at-Arms Rodelio Jocson.
In his remarks during the event, Mendoza said the Plenary Hall was built with an original capacity of 100 House members.
“So through the years, lumaki itong members (The number of members grew). Last time, (there were) 316 (members),” he said.
With the increasing number of members, he said it is possible that their seats may reach the gallery area.
Meanwhile, in an interview, Deputy Secretary General for Engineering and Physical Facilities Department Floro Banaybanay said the House Plenary Hall is equipped with modern technology, including audio and video broadcast equipment, as well as remote cameras.
The session hall also has additional new seats and tables, aesthetic designed wood panels, and better lighting fixtures
The Plenary Hall now has 367 seats for lawmakers and 1,357 gallery seats.
Banaybanay said the session hall is earthquake-proof, as its infrastructure have been continuously updated since five years ago to comply with the standard Building Code and other necessary requirements.
Cecille Moreno
July 20, 2022 at 11:17 PM
Hoping for the best Mr.President!!I hope that you will be able to convey your message to the Fiipino people and that they will be able to comprehend your. intentions.Prayers for the President of the Philippines.
Michelle Opiz
July 21, 2022 at 6:28 AM
I am eyeing for PBBM’s first SONA, even if the attence if the invitee was not 100% the important thing is what will be the SONA for this year. I am still hoping that it will become smooth and well. Sana bumaba na ang presyo ng mga bilihin especially diesel and gasoline na sobrang nagpapahirap sa lahat.
Gia Lou
July 21, 2022 at 11:19 AM
I sincerely hope that we will be able to see his country’s strategic plans as his first SONA and his invitees . It’s not really important that his invitees come, and the most important thing is that he could deliver us information that we could use for the greater good of this country. A lot of issues are coming from him and from our country. I expect this state of the nation address(SONA) will be great and won’t disappoint us.
Archie O. Tulod
July 21, 2022 at 9:15 PM
80% attendees is not really bad. We hope that the SONA of our Mr. President will help to unite all the people in this country. We should focus now for the betterment of the country, we should set aside the the negative perspectives or opinions towards to the current government.
May May
July 21, 2022 at 10:57 PM
That’s not a bad number considering BBM has a lot of personal issues, but his invites are at 80%. We hope that our newly elected president’s SONA serves the greater good and that his power is used properly and legally. I admit that I’m not in favour of him running for the presidency, but the thing is I will still congratulate him because I will trust his actions. I simply say that he should keep his trust to anyone who truly supports and believes in him. I hope to see you take charge of the Philippines problem.
Mary Joy Valdevieso
July 22, 2022 at 1:18 AM
Aside from the 80% confirmed attendance of those who are invited, I also hope that the real essence of this Sona will be talked about. As this is the first SONA of our new President I just hope that he can address the issues that needs immediate response before everything gets worse. For the short time that he’s been sitting as our President a lot of problems came. Almost every cost of our daily needs increases and this is not good for the people and the economy of our country, may be the President address this issue. Those special people invited for the Sona are not the most important audience but it should be the people of the Philippines, those who are highly affected and hoping for changes from him. After all I just wish for a peaceful, well delivered and clear statement for the Sona. God bless everyone!