Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of groups are scheduled to protest outside the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday against the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Here’s a running list of protest activities:
People’ SONA
At 2:30 p.m., the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) along with several progressive groups will hold the annual “People’s SONA”.
The program will tackle poverty, human rights violations, and the perceived rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
An effigy called “Umbagang Pilipinas” depicting the Marcos-Duterte feud, will be burned at the event.
Protesters will also toss a huge ball dubbed as “Binobolang Pilipinas” to slam the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” slogan.
Build-up activities
Groups will also hold separate activities ahead of the main protest.
At 6 a.m., the BAYAN Southern Tagalog chapter will conduct its “State of the Region Address” along the Diliman Doctors Hospital in Quezon City.
Members of the National Wage Coalition Conduct will gather on Commonwealth Avenue at 7 a.m. and march to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
At 11 a.m., Gabriela will hold its “State of the Women Address” near the Philippine Coconut Authority.
Farmer’s group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) will join the gathering along CHR at 11:30 a.m.
Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) will gather at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, Transport group MANIBELA will hold its “State of the Public Transport Address” in the afternoon. Mar Valbuena, the group’s chairperson, told NewsWatch Plus over 4,000 jeepney drivers and operators are expected to join in protests nationwide.
Outside NCR
Progressive groups will also hold protest activities outside Metro Manila.
BAYAN members will gather in Baguio, Cebu, and Davao.
The group’s international chapters are also set to convene in their own protests on July 21.
NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report.
