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Filipino Times
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Lawmakers urge simplicity in SONA amid flood crisis
As severe flooding continues to affect thousands of Filipinos, lawmakers are urging for a simpler and more modest conduct of this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA). House Speaker Martin Romualdez has called for a no-frills SONA on July 28, urging organizers to forego the usual red carpet fanfare out of respect for Filipinos affected by recent storms and monsoon rains. 'Many of our fellow Filipinos are struggling to get back on their feet. It would be out of touch to maintain a show of pageantry while our people are still in recovery,' Romualdez said. He added that while formal protocols will remain, ceremonial aspects such as fashion coverage and extravagant staging should be set aside. 'I have requested the Office of the Secretary General, if possible, to retain formal protocols but forego red carpet fanfare, fashion coverage, and ceremonial staging. We will still observe decorum and tradition, but without the spectacle. The red carpet will be used for its functional purpose—not as a platform for display,' he explained. Romualdez noted that lawmakers may still entertain media interviews as they enter the venue, in keeping with tradition. The First Regular Session of the 20th Congress is set to open earlier in the day, before the President delivers his address at 4 p.m. on Sunday. In the Senate, Sentor Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri said the usual pomp must be toned down, or even dropped completely, as many Filipinos remain affected by floods across the country. ''Wag tayong maging kapal mukha o manhid sa pangyayari sa ating mga kababayan. Tigilan na muna ang red carpet fashionista walk na may dyamante pa. Ang dapat natin intindihin ay 'yung mga naglalakad sa baha at exposed sa leptospirosis,' Zubiri said. Senator Loren Legarda echoed the sentiment, urging the government to focus on real issues and reflect the current situation in the country. 'Our people are suffering from the floods. We must use the occasion to address problems and be part of the solution. We should not be out of touch with the real state of the nation,' Legarda said.
GMA Network
24-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Romualdez calls for no red carpet SONA amid massive flooding
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has called for no red carpet State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 amid massive flooding brought about by a series of storms and monsoon rains. Romualdez made the call four days before his cousin and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is set to deliver his fourth SONA in Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. 'Mayy of our fellow Filipinos are struggling to get back on their feet. It would be out of touch to maintain a show of pageantry while our people are still in recovery,' Romualdez said. 'I have requested the Office of the Secretary General, if possible, to retain formal protocols but forego red carpet fanfare, fashion coverage and ceremonial staging. We will still observe decorum and tradition, but without the spectacle. The red carpet will be used for its functional purpose, not as a platform for display,' Romualdez added. Romualdez, however, said that members of the House remain free to speak with journalists on their way in, as is customary. 'This is not about restricting access or silencing anyone. It's about setting the tone: focused, grounded and responsive. The opening of Congress is not a fashion event, it is a working session. Let's begin it with the seriousness and humility our times demand,' Romualdez said. Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin backed Romualdez, saying it is the message of the President, not the pomp, that matters. 'We have to dress simply so people will be able to feel that we are one with them. SONA should not be projected as an event for the elite. It is an event for the people, for our people to know of the government's plans and how they are able to benefit from it,' Garin said. 'We won't have a lavish menu, and other expenses should be for things that we can still use for everyday work in Congress. And most of the preparations I have seen so far are related to the day-to-day operations in Congress,' Garin added. The First Regular Session of the 20th Congress will formally open on July 28, ahead of the President's SONA at 4 pm. — LA, GMA Integrated News
