MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives opened the first regular session of the 18th Congress on Monday morning, ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona). Both chambers of Congress officially opened their respective sessions at 10 a.m.ADVERTISEMENTIn the Senate, 22 of 24 senators attended the opening of the session. Senators re-elected Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri. Other officials of the Senate, such as the Secretary and the Sergeant-at-Arms, were also elected. The Senate and the House will hold a joint session at 4 p.m. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex to hear Duterte’s Sona.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 22, 2019 04:30 UTC