Progressive groups gathered at Freedom Park on Monday to stage the annual “SONA ng Bayan,” criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration and giving it a failing grade hours before he delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Kabataan Party-list, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR), women’s organizations, youth advocates, and other progressive groups participated in the rally, raising concerns over governance, alleged corruption, and the country’s economic conditions.
Anakbayan SMR chairperson Fauzhea Guiani said the administration’s promise of a “Bagong Pilipinas” has not translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
“Zero. Bagsak, bagsak talaga si Marcos Jr. Dahil sa ika-apat na taon niya sa pagiging Pangulo, hindi ramdam ng mamamayang Pilipino ang sinasabi nilang Bagong Pilipinas o ang mga economic developments na ipinagmamalaki nila,” Guiani told reporters.
She said protesters attended the President’s SONA with little expectation that it would reflect what they described as the realities experienced by many Filipinos.
According to Guiani, the “SONA ng Bayan” serves as an alternative platform where progressive groups present what they consider the true state of the nation, highlighting issues they believe are not fully addressed in the President’s annual report.
During the rally, protesters displayed placards bearing messages such as “Tanang Kurakot, Dapat Silutan!” (“All the corrupt must be punished”), calling for accountability over alleged corruption in government projects, including the unresolved flood control controversy.
Guiani said no high-ranking officials have been held accountable despite the controversy surfacing about a year ago.
“Hanggang ngayon, one year since na-expose ang flood control scandal, wala pa ring nakapanagot na malalaking opisyal. Wala naman tayong aasahan kung pare-pareho silang mga kurakot at kawatan,” she said.
She added that while the group remains critical of the administration, it believes sustained public action is necessary to push for reforms and accountability.
The Davao demonstration coincided with similar “SONA ng Bayan” protests in other parts of the country, including along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, where various groups likewise raised issues on governance, alleged corruption, and environmental concerns.
Meanwhile, President Marcos used his fifth SONA to defend his administration’s performance, highlighting accomplishments in governance, disaster response, food security, housing, energy, and anti-corruption efforts.
Addressing a joint session of Congress, Marcos said the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing multiple cases against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, stressing that no one is above the law.
“Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking pamilya, hindi ako Pangulo ng aking kaibigan, ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” the President said.
Marcos also reported that more than 600,000 families affected by the recent Visayas and Mindanao earthquake had received government assistance amounting to over P3 billion.
He cited the expansion of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, which he said has benefited more than 12 million Filipinos, and announced the discovery of 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas that is expected to extend the Malampaya gas field’s operations until 2034.
The President also said more than 500,000 housing units have been completed or funded under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
On corruption, Marcos said authorities have recovered, frozen, or preserved nearly P25 billion worth of assets linked to corruption cases, with more than P800 million already returned to the National Treasury.
