Less achievements, more message on new SONA format: Palace

FILE: Roque, trying to avoid preempting Duterte’s message, said that the SONA will just really be about the President discussing “matters that are close to the hearts” of the people. (PCOO photo)

Malacañang said that the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) will have a new format that will have a lesser talk on achievements and more on the Chief Executive’s message.

“May bagong format at ang mangyayari iyong SONA really, malilimita siya doon sa mga gusto talagang sabihin ng Presidente sa taumbayan (There is a new format and what happens on the SONA is that it will be limited to what the President has to say to the people),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing on May 8, Tuesday.

“So iyong mga achievement, siguro may mga ibang pagkakataon nang isa-isahin iyan (So perhaps there are other opportunities to list and discuss the achievements),” he added.

Roque, trying to avoid preempting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s message, said that the SONA will just really be about the President discussing “matters that are close to the hearts” of the people.

“At doon po lumalabas iyong kampanya niya sa korapsyon na wala pong tigil at wala pong kupas iyong kampanya (And this goes to show that his campaign against corruption is continuous and is pushing through),” the spokesperson further explained.

Duterte’s next SONA will be on July 23.

In his first addresses, the President, just like in his usual speeches, admitted to delivering off-script comments and statements.

His second SONA lasted for 120 minutes.