PRIVATELY owned media organizations will not be allowed to physically cover President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 27, inside the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
In an advisory Monday afternoon, House of Representatives officials said only the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) will be allowed in the premises of Batasang Pambansa.
“Please be advised that as per the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), all media are not allowed inside the premises of the House of Representatives (HRep) in Batasan Hills, Quezon City during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27, 2020,” House officials said.
“The Presidential Broadcast Staff — Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) will be the only one allowed inside the HRep to cover the SONA. All broadcast-related requirements will be coursed through the RTVM,” it added.
Media companies were advised to watch the live feed of PTV or the livestream of the Presidential Communications and RTVM Facebook pages and RTVM YouTube channel.
According to the House officials, the advisory to limit the number of media personnel inside Batasang Pambansa was based on the recommendation of the IATF.
In a previous press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte will physically deliver his Sona in Quezon City.
“I can confirm for the first time that the President will be physically present in Batasan--unless there are supervening events,” Roque said.
“Naka-schedule po ang rehearsal at patuloy po ang preparasyon (The rehearsal has been scheduled and preparations are ongoing)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)