(Eagle News)–The nation awaits President Rodrigo Duterte as he holds his fourth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa a few hours from now.
The Palace has said the President would speak about “major issues” such as the West Philippine Sea in his speech before a joint congressional session at 4 p.m.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Filipinos can also expect the chief executive to talk about ways to sustain the growth in our economy, his legislative agenda, and the promises he made on fighting corruption, illegal drugs, criminality, and rebellion.
“..Duterte will report to the Filipino people the achievements of the administration in the past three years, the present situation of the country, and his plans to further move the nation forward for the three years,” Panelo said.
“The past year has been meaningful and we are all excited for what was prepared for tomorrow’s momentous event,” he added.
The Palace has said President Duterte has vowed his speech would be short, but it was unclear whether he would stick to a prepared speech or go off-script.
Duterte’s SONA will again be directed by movie and television filmmaker Joyce Bernal once again.
Hours before his speech, the Senate and the House of Representatives under the 18th Congress are expected to open session at 10 a.m., when they are also slated to vote for their respective leaders.
While the Senate presidency appears to be a done deal and will be retained by Senator Tito Sotto, it was unclear to whom the House speakership would go to, with presidential son and Rep. Paolo Duterte, who was touted as a contender, slated to hold a breakfast meeting with solons hours before.
President Duterte however has already said Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano would be the next Speaker, followed by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco under a term-sharing agreement.
Classes in Quezon City in both public and private schools have been suspended for SONA, a suspension which applied to all levels.
The military has said no threat has been monitored for SONA, but the police has remained in full alert for the last few days for the event.