#SONA2023 protesters spotlight human rights issues vs Marcos

Human rights and civil society groups were back on the streets on Monday, July 24, ahead of the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos is expected to talk about his accomplishments during his first year in office and give updates on the promises he made in his first SONA speech in 2022.

The protesters brought attention to a range of human rights issues confronting the Philippine government including the Red-tagging of activists, the alleged militarization of communities, and attacks on press freedom.

Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), various sectors and progressive groups march along Commonwealth Avenue near Batasang Pambansa. Protesters convey their stances on key national issues such as inflation, job security, militarization of communities, and human rights. Photo Larry Monserate Piojo for PCIJ

Protesters slam the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, which was signed into law just eight months after its proposal in congress. Though the government claims that it will ‘stimulate the economy without additional debt burden,” faculty from the UP School of Economics criticized the fund’s speedy enactment and lack of safety nets against loss of public investment. Rather than establishing a sovereign fund, critics say lawmakers should focus on more urgent issues, such as the attacks against indigenous communities. Photo Larry Monserate Piojo for PCIJ

Dubbed ‘Doble Kara,’ artists made a flippable effigy of Marcos Jr. on a golden coin. One side was emblazoned with the current tourism slogan ‘Love the Philippines’ featuring Marcos Jr. posed with a peace sign. On the flip side, he is depicted holding a gun, along with the words “Rob the Philippines.” Photo Larry Monserate Piojo for PCIJ

Demonstrators burn the Marcos Jr. effigy, which they say symbolizes how his administration is ‘two-faced,’ preaching peace and unity while corruption and human rights abuses stay rampant. Just one year into Marcos Jr.’s presidency, human rights group Karapatan tallied 60 cases of extrajudicial killings, 28 cases of frustrated extrajudicial killings, 11 cases of torture, and 6,931 incidents of counter-insurgency related bombings. Out of 180 countries, the Philippines currently occupies the 116th least corrupt spot on the Global Corruption Perceptions Index. Photo Larry Monserate Piojo for PCIJ

They called on the government to address and improve land distribution, jobs, and salaries.

They protested the country’s renewed relationship with the U.S., particularly the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and called Marcos the “lapdog” of US President Joseph Biden.

They pushed for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels and for the release of political prisoners.

Efforts to uphold human rights in the Philippines include calls to release political prisoners. Since Marcos Jr. took office, Karapatan documented 266 cases of illegal arrest and eight cases of enforced disappearance. Last June, a separate mobilization was held by progressive groups for the release of the 778 political prisoners in the country, 49 of which were arrested just last year. Photo Larry Monserate Piojo for PCIJ

Various groups and media workers march with placards raised in the bid to defend press freedom. The 2023 World Press Freedom Index placed the Philippines at 132nd out of 180 countries, an improvement from the previous year’s 157th. Though Marcos Jr. is more cordial towards the press than predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, media workers still face dangers such as redtagging and death threats. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines noted three cases of media killings since September 2022. The President remained mum about press freedom in his SONA. Photo Larry Monserate Piojo for PCIJ