Lawyer Paola Alvarez, incoming Finance spokesperson, told Malacañang reporters that Duterte’s Sona on July 25 will be deliberately downplayed. Do not expect to see legislators and their spouses in long gowns or dresses during President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address, a spokesperson said on Monday. In previous years, “Sona fashion” was covered by entertainment and lifestyle reporters as legislators and other guests flaunted their gowns on the red carpet inside Batasang Pambansa. We want to center on what the President’s message is to our people, especially it’s his First State of the Nation Address,” she said during a Palace briefing. ADVERTISEMENTAlvarez, who used to be spokesperson of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said guests were specifically told not to wear gowns.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 18, 2016 10:38 UTC