MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will be invited to the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as part of protocol, according to an official of the House of Representatives involved in finalizing the guest list for the event on July 28.
Secretary-General Reginald Velasco told The Manila Times that the same protocols would be observed starting with invitations issued to officials of institutions like the Supreme Court and constitutional commissions such as the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Audit, and the Commission on Elections.
Velasco said the vice president will be among the invited VIPs that would include former presidents, former speakers and former Senate presidents.
Vice President Sara Duterte. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Duterte did not attend last year’s SONA but called herself a “designated survivor,” sparking criticism from members of the House.
Velasco said the House, the Senate and the Office of the President, among others, were part of an inter-agency group responsible for the SONA preparations.
Velasco also said that the House leadership was now discussing the first bill that would be filed when the 20th Congress opens on July 1.
It had been a tradition at the House to have congressional staff line up at the Bills and Index Department as early as June 30 to determine what bill would become “House Bill 0001” in the 20th Congress.
