8 Fast Facts About the SONA

This Monday, the President will be delivering his final SONA. The State of the Nation Address or the “Talumpatì sa Kalagayan ng Bansa” is a yearly speech delivered by the President at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. It is supposed to update us on our country’s current condition and summarize the incumbent government’s accomplishments so far.

What do we know about the SONA?

8. The First SONA

Via tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph

The first SONA was delivered on November 25, 1935 by Manuel L. Quezon. It focused on the establishment of a national defense policy.

7. Language of the People

Via maricelacuna.wordpress.com

President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III has so far delivered the only SONA in Filipino, last July 26, 2010. He has delivered six SONAs.

6. The Record for Most SONAs Delivered

Via tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph

Ferdinand E. Marcos delivered the most SONAs (20 in total). He was also the only President to not deliver his SONAs in front of Congress.

5. The Record for Least SONAs Delivered

Via tenminutes.ph

Sergio Osmeña, President for two years (1944 – 1946), delivered only one SONA.

4. Presidents who Delivered No SONAs at All

Via nndb.com

, charleskeng.com

Both Emilio F. Aguinaldo and Jose P. Laurel did not deliver SONAs, as the constitutions during their presidency made no provisions for it.

3. Tradition

Via philstar.com

There are specific traditions and procedure surrounding the SONA, one of which is that the the President is greeted by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Sergeants-at-Arms of both Houses of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa.