Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on July 28 in Metro Manila and the provinces, as well as overseas, to expose the people’s real situation under three years of Marcos’ rule. These demonstrations, held annually as a counterpoint to the incumbent president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), were dubbed as the SONA of Accountability.

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), various sectors and groups marched on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City towards the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills. As in the past, thousands of police blocked the march forcing groups to hold their program a few kilometers from the Batasan.

According to Bayan, the SONA of Accountability is the people’s legitimate and democratic response to the US-Marcos regime’s exploitation and oppression.

The demonstration highlighted the regime’s incompetence in addressing the effects of recent successive typhoons and monsoon winds that caused heavy rains and flood. They also condemned state institutions, such as the Supreme Court, for imposing various obstacles which derailed the impeachment trial against vice president Sara Duterte.

The protest also condemned the Marcos regime for further consolidating its political power in recent years through subservience to imperialist US dictates in the economy, foreign policy, and national security. They also denounced the continuing repressive policies such as the Anti-Terrorism Law, the National Task Force-Elcac and the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development, as well as the former Duterte regime’s “war on drugs”.

National-democratic groups from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon also participated in the demonstration.

Before the SONA itself, organizations launched protests before various Marcos regime agencies to demand accountability for their utter disregard and rotten services.

Meanwhile, almost 1,000 people participated in a mass action in Iloilo City. Rallies were also held in Naga City in Camarines Sur, Roxas City in Capiz, Kalibo in Aklan, Bacolod City, Cebu City, Tacloban City, and Davao City. Meanwhile, a forum was held in Baguio City on July 27.

Overseas, demonstrations were launched in Hong Kong, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, US states, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Most of the activities took place before Philippine consulates to raise their grievances with the government.

Meaningless SONA

As expected, Marcos’ speech contained no substantial report or policies that should improve the Philippine situation. Marcos merely mentioned cosmetic projects, bragged about ₱20/kilo rice being sold in only a few stores, among others.

For the people, Marcos’ declaration against corruption is meaningless, especially since his billions in confidential funds remain in place. Added to this is his move to stop the progress of the impeachment case against Duterte.

Marcos falsely criticized government officials for the slow implementation of flood control projects supposedly because of corruption. In reality, beyond corruption-riddled projects, Marcos is the main disaster because he allows destructive quarrying, dredging, mining, and reclamation projects by the bureaucrat-capitalists’ big businesses.

The projects he mentioned for health, education, and other social services are all hollow. He left out many important issues, including the long-standing demands for higher workers’ wages, land for farmers, and others.