FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed his attendance to the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 24.
House Secretary Reginald Velasco said Duterte confirmed his attendance along with Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
He said former Presidents House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada also confirmed attendance to the Sona.
Velasco said former Vice President Leni Robredo declined the invitation.
Robredo won against Marcos for the vice president position in the 2016 election, while Marcos won against Robredo in the 2022 presidential elections.
The House Secretary General said they allocated a special room for guests with comorbidities and the elderly.
He said a famous artist who he refused to name yet will sing the national anthem during the Sona, while a choir from Tacloban will perform during the opening of the 19th Congress Second Regular Session.
The Quezon City local government earlier announced the suspension of classes in all levels in schools within their jurisdiction on July 24 to avoid inconvenience due to road closures.
Several transport groups have also announced the conduct of a three-day nationwide transport from July 24 to 26, coinciding with the Sona.
The strike aims to air the group's sentiment on the government’s alleged preferential treatment in awarding the routes to public utility vehicles in line with the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines or the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program framework.
Transport group Manibela said 200,000 of their members will join the transport strike. (SunStar Philippines)