The leadership of the upper and lower chambers of Congress have called for a more modest State of the Nation Address (SONA) this year, according to a Tuesday report.

This followed a meeting between House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil and Senate Secretary Mark Llandro “Dong” Mendoza at the Senate, reported RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas.

Mendoza said they held the meeting earlier than usual to better prepare for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s annual report. Among the matters discussed were security and to host a simpler SONA this July as a show of solidarity with their countrymen amid the ongoing oil crisis.

Moreover, Mendoza said they were considering removing the red carpet. He and Garafil agreed that the decorations to be put up in the Batasang Pambansa Complex will not be as lavish.

Both officials urged guests who are to attend to refrain from wearing flashy clothing.

“Up to them naman. Pero siyempre, because of what’s happening right now, diba medyo, baka ‘yung (mga) tao, mag-react. Medyo tame down lang ng kaunti,” Mendoza said.