2016 State of the Nation Address (Philippines)
President Rodrigo Duterte delivering his first State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
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| Duration | 1 hour and 33 minutes |
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| Date | July 25, 2016 |
| Venue | Session Hall, Batasang Pambansa Complex |
| Location | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Participants | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Primary Languages | English, Filipino |
The 2016 State of the Nation Address was the first State of the Nation Address delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Three former Presidents, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo attended the SONA. This was the first time that Arroyo attended Congress after being detained for four years at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, after the Supreme Court voted 11-4, dismissing the plunder case filed against her in connection with the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's P366-million intelligence fund.
Among those who also attended were Vice President Leni Robredo, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Papal Nuncio and Head of the Diplomatic Corps, Giuseppe Pinto. Former President and Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III skipped the event.
Independent film director Brillante Mendoza has accepted the offer by PCO Secretary Martin Andanar to direct the first State of the Nation Address of President Duterte. Andanar held a meeting, with Mendoza, director and TV host Jun Sabayton and PCO Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Ramon Cualoping III to discuss several details of the SONA.
Mayor Herbert Bautista announced that there will be no classes in all levels in Quezon City on the day of the State of the Nation Address itself, particularly in schools near the Batasang Pambansa.
President Duterte arrived at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives at 4:00pm (PST). After the President's arrival, Senate President Koko Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez convened the joint session of the both houses. The national anthem was sung by folk singer Bayang Barrios, followed by an interfaith unity prayer led by representatives from the Catholic Church, Protestants, Muslims and the Iglesia ni Cristo.
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