EXPECT President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) to be "short," Malacañang said Tuesday, July 16.
Duterte, known for delivering long and extemporaneous speech, would just cite his administration's accomplishments when he addresses the nation on July 22, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press conference.
"I asked him (Duterte) about the Sona this morning. He said, 'Oh, it will be short,'" Panelo said.
"Ordinarily, the President will be discussing achievements of his administration on a particular year," the Palace official added.
Panelo said the President is expected to veer away from his usual lengthy speeches, since a three-part fora highlighting the current administration's achievements have been held before his fourth Sona.
The pre-Sona fora in Manila, Cebu, and Davao intend to focus on the Duterte government's programs on the economy, infrastructure development, poverty reduction, peace security, and disaster mitigation efforts.
Earlier, Duterte said he might use the Sona to talk lengthily about his controversial policy allowing Chinese nationals to fish in the Philippine waters.
Panelo said the President did not mention any possible issues that may be raised during his fourth Sona.
"Wala eh (There is none)," the Palace official said, when asked about other issues that may be discussed by Duterte during his address to the nation.
"'Yun lang ang sinabi niya. That's what he only said. He will 'educate' those critics [who] say that he's violating the Constitution [because of his policy on Philippine waters]," he added.
So far, Duterte's shortest Sona was delivered last year, which lasted for just nearly 50 minutes, as he mostly stuck to his prepared speech.
The President's second Sona in 2017 lasted for one hour and 20 minutes, while his first Sona in 2016 lasted for more than one hour and 30 minutes. (SunStar Philippines)