MANILA, Philippines — Members of the media will not be allowed inside the premises of the House of Representatives when President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his penultimate State of the Nation Address (Sona) next week, according to an advisory from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). ADVERTISEMENTPCOO said that only the Presidential Broadcast Staff – Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) will be allowed to cover the Sona inside the House of Representatives—also known as Batasang Pambansa—and that all broadcast-related requirements should be coursed through the RTVM. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier announced that Duterte will be physically present at the Batasang Pambansa to deliver his 5th Sona amid the coronavirus pandemic. The presidential spokesperson disclosed that among the topics that Duterte will discuss in speech include the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the government’s efforts to mitigate its effects, and the government’s recovery program. Only 50 members of Congress will also be allowed to attend so as to observe social distancing protocols, said Roque.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 20, 2020 12:55 UTC