DURING the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the red carpet has become one of the traditions associated with the event; however, lawmakers are advocating for a halt to it for the upcoming SONA on July 28.
Following the calamity caused by triple tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, many Filipinos’ livelihoods have been disrupted, as well as their homes have been submerged by the floods.
Because of this, lawmakers urge not to make fashion the center of attention for this year’s SONA.
“In the past weeks, tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong have displaced families, destroyed livelihoods, and left many of our kababayan struggling to get back on their feet,” said Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“It would be out of touch to maintain a show of pageantry while our people are still in recovery.” He added.
Romualdez had also urged the Office of the Secretary General to drop the fashion fanfare while maintaining formal protocols.
“This is not about restricting access or silencing anyone. It’s about setting the tone: focused, grounded, and responsive,” Romualdez explained.
On X, Senator Tito Sotto III had also expressed his thoughts on a tweet, suggesting to “discontinue the fashion show and red carpet proposals on Monday.”
“Nakahiya sa mga kababayan nating binaha!” He added.
On a Facebook post, Senator Loren Legarda had also expressed her thoughts regarding the red carpet, stating that “the Senate opening and the SONA must be made simple, as it should be, attuned with the times.”
“Our people are suffering from the floods. We must use the occasion to solve the problems, to be part of the solution to this long-standing problem, and not to be out of touch with the real state of the nation.” She wrote.
Former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri had also expressed his thoughts on this, stating that the attention should be towards Filipinos who were affected by the flood.
Senator JV Ejercito stated that SONA shouldn’t be used as an excuse to dress up like it’s the Oscars.
“Di ko nga alam bakit naging fashion show at pagarbuhan ng pananamit at gamit itong okasyong ito na parang Oscars Award. Hindi ito ang pagkakataon para rumampa at magpasikat. Hindi ito tama at hindi dapat,” he said in a statement.
“Hindi ito ang pagkakataon para rumampa at magpasikat. Hindi ito tama at hindi dapat.” He added.
