THE State of the Nation or SONA address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be the first SONA to be done via a Face-to-Face format.
This was announced by House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza after a SONA with a hybrid format was done before by former President Rodrigo Duterte due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first SONA of President Marcos, according to Mendoza, will be held at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 25, 2022 and in full capacity.
Because of this, all 315 congressmen, 24 senators, members of the diplomatic corps and other VIPs invited to the affair are expected to personally attend and present at the Batasan Complex.
Mendoza said the plenary and gallery of the Batasan Complex has a 1,200 seating capacity, which is expected to be filled on the SONA day of President Marcos.
However, a limited number of the members of the media will be allowed to enter the session hall.
According to the advisory, only around 30 reporters will be allowed to enter the plenary through drawing of lots, while the remaining reporters will be allowed to monitor the event at the designated holding area.
Also, the North and South wing lobby will be opened for an orderly media coverage.
Mendoza also assured that they are on track with their preparations for the SONA of President Marcos. It is also expected that the task force will conduct a coordination meeting this week.