Philippines on downward spiral under Marcos, critics say

MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to what President Marcos has painted as a booming Philippines in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), activists said yesterday the country is on a downward spiral due to a debilitating economic crisis and bickering in his administration.

Thousands of anti-government protesters from various cause-oriented groups marched along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City for the People’s SONA, wherein they denounced Marcos for the worsening poverty under his administration.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) president Renato Reyes said the much-hyped Bagong Pilipinas remains an empty slogan marred by the conflict between Marcos and the family of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“No amount of singing and recitation of ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ will hide the worsening crisis of Philippine society. The people demand genuine freedom and democracy,” Reyes said.

The government’s P20-million budget for the SONA, strict security and tone-deaf pageantry shows the insensitivity of the Marcos administration to the plight of ordinary Filipinos, according to Reyes.

He said the approaching midterm elections has whipped the ruling elite into a frenzy of maneuvers and counter-maneuvers as they all seek to gain advantage for themselves for 2025.

Reyes also criticized Marcos for not holding Duterte responsible for the human rights violations and corruption in his administration. Instead, Reyes said the government continues to weaponize Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act, against administration critics.

Labor groups Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and the Federation of Free Workers asked Marcos to prioritize the needs of workers. — Rhodina Villanueva