Julia Christine Botin

No red carpet, simpler fare: House tones down 4th SONA

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>No red carpet and simpler fare. This is how the House of Representatives will present a more toned down State of the Nation Address on Monday as communities continue to reel from floods and rain brought about by various weather systems.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0akycokuZLGko1rszgJTPpbYEFxn5zebZq6pxrABNPAP1fUXVGDF4g23jpEvvG3Qkl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="569" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Atty. Princess Abante, spokesperson of the House of Representatives, said she does not know if the SONA guest list was trimmed down, adding she is unsure if there will be no-shows during Monday’s SONA because of the inclement weather. Those without an invitation will not be allowed in the plenary hall.</p><p>At least 1,000 people attended last year’s SONA, she said.</p><p>On Friday, the House of Representatives issued a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/25/no-fashion-coverage-house-urges-lawmakers-to-tone-down-sona-spectacle-1146">memorandum</a> urging its members “to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices&quot; on Monday, which will also be the opening of the 20th Congress.</p><p>“Ang fashion police ang taumbayan,” Abante said, adding that some lawmakers use the SONA to promote local fashion designers.</p><p>Congressmen attending this year’s SONA are expected to be in place at the plenary hall by 2 p.m.</p>

<p>No red carpet and simpler fare. This is how the House of Representatives will present a more toned down State of the Nation Address on Monday as communities continue to reel from floods and rain brought about by various weather systems.</p>

No red carpet and simpler fare. This is how the House of Representatives will present a more toned down State of the Nation Address on Monday as communities continue to reel from floods and rain brought about by various weather systems.