PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is drafting the speech he will deliver at his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Congress on July 28, Malacañang said yesterday as it also announced that tenor Sofronio Vasquez will sing the Philippine national anthem at event.
Vasquez, born in Misamis Occidental and now based in the United States, is a pop singer who won the American talent competition The Voice, Season 26. He is the first Filipino and first male Asian winner of the competition.
Vasquez paid a courtesy call on the President in January and held a concert in Cebu in the same month.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said “selecting Vasquez, a multi-awarded singer known for his powerful renditions of patriotic and classical pieces, reflects the administration’s intent to blend tradition and excellence in this year’s SONA ceremony. His participation is seen as a tribute to Filipino talent and national pride.”
“The singing of the national anthem is a key ceremonial element of the SONA, setting the tone for the President’s annual address before members of Congress, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and millions of Filipinos watching from around the world,” the PCO added.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the president is drafting the SONA speech himself and studying what he will report to the people.
Asked if Marcos would talk about a ban on online gaming sites, Castro said ban proposals are being thoroughly studied.
“Decisions like this are really being studied to see if these will affect the economy, affect the people, and we cannot rush this,” she said in Filipino.
