Duterte SONA won’t blame previous administrations

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte will not dwell on the mistakes of previous administrations nor play the blame game when he gives his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Incoming Department of Finance spokesperson Paola Alvarez said yesterday the SONA could focus on the details of the 10-point agenda reported earlier, including the drive for constitutional change to allow a shift to a federal form of government and the revival of the death penalty, although details are still not available.

Speaking yesterday to Malacañang reporters, Alvarez said international award-winning film director Brillante Mendoza will direct the SONA, especially the placing of cameras and how the event unfolds on TV.

The Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives will meet and escort Duterte to the Plenary Hall.

Alvarez said the SONA would tackle the comprehensive tax package – something that the Department of Finance is working on and which   Congress will tackle.

It will also touch on subjects like the death penalty that Duterte wanted to revive for heinous crimes like rape, kidnap-for-ransom and murder, she added.

Asked if militants will be allowed to protest during the SONA, Alvarez encouraged them to pick another time to air their grievances.

Duterte has always been “welcoming and open” to talking with them, she added.

Communications Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping told reporters yesterday Duterte wants his first SONA on Monday to be different from those of his predecessors.        

“The President is a simple man, so he wants his SONA to be simple,” he said. “His SONA will not be as stiff as previous SONAs.” 

Cualoping said the SONA will be “very short and straight to the point.”

“It’s now being put together with inputs from members of the Cabinet,” he said.

Asked if Duterte’s address would be punctuated by expletives, as is his wont, Cualoping said, “Since it’s a formal event, I think he will follow protocol.”

Mendoza told reporters that in line with the SONA’s theme of simplicity, he expects lawmakers, their spouses, administration officials and other guests to be “less formal in their attire.”

“The simpler the better,” he said.

Members of Congress and guests should focus on what Duterte would tell the nation, he added.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Mendoza conducted an ocular inspection of the House of Representatives building in Quezon City where the President will deliver the SONA.

Mendoza discouraged House officials from installing more lights at the session hall.

“There should be normal lighting,” he said.

Cualoping said those attending the SONA “are not required to come in gowns and suits but in business dress.”

Prospective speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has dissuaded his colleagues from transforming the SONA into a fashion show.

Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said the practice of some lawmakers of making the SONA an exhibition of the latest in fashion “will now be a thing of the past.”

“The SONA is the President’s show. Let’s give it to him,” he said. “The House leadership does not want distractions.” 

This year’s SONA, and in the next five years, would not be a fashion show, DOF’s Alvarez said, as she noted that guests were asked to either wear a simple Filipiniana dress or business attire and not the expensive gowns that marked past SONAs.

“It (SONA) will not be a fashion show. We want to center on what the President’s message is to our people especially that it is his first… we want to bring back the real essence of the SONA,” Alvarez said.

Duterte will deliver his first SONA on Monday. – With Jess Diaz