Pinoys hold anti-SONA protests vs. Marcos in New York and Washington DC

NEW YORK - Some Filipinos held protest actions in New York and Washington, DC on Monday (PHL time) against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Groups belonging to the Northeast Coalition to Advance Genuine Democracy gathered in front of the Philippine Consulate General in New York for a rally.

The protesters raised their nine-point agenda for the Philippines which they hope the Marcos administration can address. This includes:

1. regulate prices;
2. revive local agriculture;
3. enact land reform and national industrialization;
4. focus on national defense along with the promotion of human rights;
5. adopt a clear government policy to fight disinformation, protect freedom of expression and press freedom;
6. institute a democratic, ethical and accountable governance;
7. provide free health care and basic social services for the people;
8. uphold national sovereignty and an independent foreign policy that will place national interest above any foreign dictates of agenda; and
9. ensure country’s natural wealth and resources.

In Washington, DC, more than 100 militants took part in a People's SONA.

The group marched from Dupont Circle toward the Philippine Embassy where they expressed their grievances.

According to Bennard of Migrante, the plight of migrant workers has not improved allegedly due to the wrong policies of the government.

“The Philippines’ worsening economic crisis, lack of support for migrant workers and the problematic labor export policy, first institutionalized by Marcos Sr in the 1960s... It is a policy that has facilitated the forced migration of millions of Filipino people and has not done anything to truly take them out of poverty and it subjects them to abuse, trafficking, and exploitation," he said.

The militants warned they would mount big protest actions when Marcos arrives in New York in September.

Marcos is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September and deliver a speech before heads of state.

US President Joe Biden also invited Marcos to visit Washington, DC, according to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

On Monday afternoon, July 25, Marcos will deliver his first SONA at the Batasang Pambansa.

He is expected to reveal his administration's plans for economic recovery, face-to-face classes, and COVID-19 pandemic response. —Dave Llavanes Jr./KG, GMA News