PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte arrived at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City for his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) at 3:57 p.m., Monday.
Duterte was received by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Director Eduardo Año, Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr., and House sergeant-at-arms Rolando Detabali.
At the end of the military honor guard formation, the Chief Executive was welcomed by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Duterte went to the Legislator's Lounge and will proceed to the plenary hall to deliver his second Sona scheduled at 4 p.m.
His predecessors – then presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – except former president Benigno Aquino III, were present to witness the President’s second Sona.
Vice President Leni Robredo, the country's second highest official who has conflicting political views with Duterte, was also spotted.
Duterte’s children from his first wife Elizabeth Zimmerman – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and Sebastian Duterte – graced the event.
His common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña and Veronica Duterte also attended the Sona.
The President’s speech, which was themed “A Comfortable Life for All,” is drafted in English but Duterte, like in his first Sona, might deliver some off-the-cuff remarks delivered either in Filipino or Bisaya.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a statement on Sunday, said Duterte’s address to the nation will be “frank, challenging, realistic but hopeful.”
“The President’s State of the Nation Address will be rendered in broad strokes, reviewing past achievements, stating the present situation and announcing the future prospects,” Abella said.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte would also discuss pressing issues hurdling the country, including the crisis in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province, which prompted the Commander in Chief to place Mindanao under martial rule.
The President’s second Sona was also confronted by protests staged by labor and human rights groups outside the Batasan Complex to express their strong opposition to his programs and policies, including his decision to declare martial law in Mindanao.
Duterte’s first Sona was focused on his campaign promises to crack down on illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality in his six-year term. He also pledged to implement big-ticket infrastructure projects, pass into law the proposed tax reform measure, and ensure the government’s transparency through Freedom of Information. (SunStar Philippines)