SENATE President Vicente Sotto III yesterday bared three possible scenarios under the “new normal” less than a month before President Duterte delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address.
In a virtual interview with reporters, Sotto said the first option is they will stick to the traditional delivery at the Batasan Pambansa to be attended by a number of congressmen and senators observing health protocols.
The second, he said, is that Duterte will deliver his speech online in Malacanang while some members of Congress will be at the Batasan Pambansa while the third option is the President delivering his SONA via online in Malacanang while congressmen listen at Batasan Pambansa and senators at the Senate session hall.
Sotto said he prefers that at least 12 senators are present at the plenary while the President delivers the SONA. He said Malacanang was more amenable to the third option.
“Those who can attend at the plenary, they can (attend). The House of Representatives will limit the number of congressmen who will attend. We in the Senate have no plans of limiting our attendance because we are just few. These will all be virtual,” he said.
President Duterte is set to deliver his SONA on July 27.