Keeping the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) ‘simple but dignified,’ the House of Representatives said it is fully prepared to host President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s SONA on Monday, July 27, as officials confirmed the completion of all security, logistical, and operational preparations. The event will coincide with the opening of Congress’ second regular session and the resumption of legislative work amid the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III on Tuesday led House officials in the final inspection of the plenary hall and other key areas of the House complex, saying the chamber is ready to welcome the President, lawmakers, and guests for the annual constitutional event.
‘It is our duty to ensure that every aspect of the SONA is orderly, safe, and befitting the significance of this occasion. This day is important not only for the government but for every Filipino, as it is an opportunity for the President to report on the state of the nation and the direction we are taking. The House is ready for the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address,’ Dy said.
The Speaker said the House and the Office of the President agreed to keep this year’s SONA ‘simple but dignified,’ in keeping with the importance of the occasion.
The final walkthrough followed weeks of preparations and the last coordination meeting among officials from the House, the Office of the President, and the Senate to finalize remaining arrangements for the President’s address.
House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil earlier said that preparations were already in place, with discussions focusing on final logistical concerns, such as seating arrangements for dignitaries and viewing areas for guests who cannot be accommodated inside the plenary hall.
‘We’re all set,’ Garafil said. Garafil also led officials in inspecting the route Marcos will take from the rear entrance of the House complex to the plenary hall, where he will deliver his fifth SONA.
The House completed several facility improvements ahead of the event, including upgrades to the Main Building, renovated hallways and common areas, and new al fresco lounges for lawmakers and guests.
The historic plenary hall has also been readied for the joint session of Congress.
To ensure the safety of attendees, the House has prepared emergency response measures involving around 30 medical personnel from the House Medical and Dental Service, with support from teams from St. Luke’s Medical Center, Diliman Doctors Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, and East Avenue Medical Center.
Additional responders from the Department of Health, local government units, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police will also be deployed during the event.
The opening of the second regular session will take place on Monday morning, while the joint session of Congress for the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be held at 4 p.m. on the same day.
No conflict seen
Meanwhile, House prosecutor and 1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the resumption of Congress sessions will not disrupt the impeachment proceedings, as lawmakers are already accustomed to balancing their legislative duties and responsibilities as prosecutors.
Gutierrez said the panel has been managing both tasks even before the congressional recess ended.
‘Even before the session begins, the prosecution’s time has already been divided. We still have our constituents to serve. So I think it should be very, very manageable,’ Gutierrez said during a press briefing.
Gutierrez said he expects only minimal adjustments once lawmakers return to session.
Congress is set to open its Second Regular Session on Monday, prompting the Senate impeachment court to adjust its schedule. Trial proceedings are expected to move from the previous 2 p.m. schedule to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Wednesday to accommodate House plenary sessions.
The revised schedule will take effect after the impeachment court’s scheduled meeting next Wednesday before returning to its regular trial calendar.
Gutierrez said the adjustment would only require minor changes, mainly involving lawmakers’ physical schedules.
‘I think there won’t be that big adjustment. The only adjustment really would be physical adjustment,’ he said.
He added the return of regular sessions could even make scheduling easier for lawmakers involved in the trial since they would no longer need to divide as much time between impeachment proceedings and travel to their respective districts.
Gutierrez also stressed that the participation of private prosecutors would depend on the panel’s legal strategy and not on whether House members have fewer available hours due to legislative duties.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union, likewise, said lawmakers can manage their legislative responsibilities while continuing to attend impeachment proceedings, although longer working hours may be needed once Congress resumes.
‘At least there is more flexibility since there is already a set schedule. It will just come down to time management. But we may see the House of Representatives extend its working hours once the session begins,’ Ortega said.
Ortega said lawmakers actually faced greater scheduling difficulties during the recess because they had to balance impeachment duties with work in their districts.
‘Actually, we found it more difficult during the break because we had less time to spend in our districts,’ he said.
Despite the challenges, Ortega said district offices continued operating during the recess, allowing lawmakers to serve constituents even as personal visits to communities were reduced.