Simple Sona pressed to keep up with the times (original) (raw)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address in 2025. (INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) next month will be “simple” with invited guests asked to wear modest clothing “in keeping with the times,”House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil said on Tuesday.

Garafil said no red carpets will be laid for the Sona, and female guests are expected to avoid extravagant gowns, as preparations are kept “simple but dignified” for the event.

READ: Congress mulls simpler Sona set up amid crisis

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“The operative word for this year will be a simple SONA in keeping with the times,” she said in her welcoming remarks in the first coordination meeting with the Senate, the Presidential Palace, and state broadcaster Radio Television Malacanang at the House of Representatives.

“The preparations that we’ve done are all geared towards keeping it simple but still dignified,” she added.

“This is a major event for the administration and for the Filipino people, so I hope everyone will also make this very simple but dignified.”

The Sona, held on the fourth Monday of July each year, serves as the annual report by the president on the country’s socioeconomic and political conditions and is traditionally marked by lavish preparations. /gsg

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