The House of Representatives (HoR) quickly responded to the request of Leyte Representative and 19th Congress House Speaker Ferdinand ‘Martin’ G. Romualdez for a simplified opening of the 20th Congress and State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28.
According to a report by RH Milky Rigonan, HoR Secretary General Reginald Velasco has issued a memorandum detailing adjustments due to recent calamities affecting several regions in the country.
The members of the house are urged by the memo to avoid “ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices”. Only formal attire remains required for all the attendees of the said event.
“Members are encouraged to wear traditional Barong or Filipiniana in keeping with the solemn tone of the occasion,” Velasco directed.
Additionally, the red carpet will only be used for the entrance of officials and to observe official protocol. There will be no staged ceremonies, fashion coverage, or photo setups in the area. While media interviews are permitted, they will be limited to brief and impromptu interviews only.
Sessions for both the Senate and the House of Representatives will commence on Monday morning, followed by the convening of both houses in the afternoon in preparation for the fourth SONA by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
