Palace: Duterte’s fourth SONA will be short

President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to keep his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 "short," Malacañang said Tuesday.

"I asked about him about the SONA this morning. He said 'Oh it will be short,'" presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference. Panelo later quipped that two hours might be a short one for a speech.

The Palace official said the President will not likely discuss the government's accomplishments because this was already the subject of the three pre-SONA briefings by several Cabinet clusters. The last forum will be held on Wednesday in Davao City. 

Panelo earlier said he had no idea whether Duterte will follow his prepared speech or go off script. Last year, Duterte largely stuck to his speech that lasted 48 minutes.

The President will deliver his SONA before a joint session of Congress amid criticisms over his human rights record and policy on the South China Sea dispute. — MDM, GMA News