Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas (Facebook)

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said she is giving an advanced “failed” grade to the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos because of the latter’s supposed failure to address the issues concerning the country.

“Bagsak agad ang grado natin sa Presidente kasi hindi dapat magmalaki sa kaniyang SONA ng mga walang nagawa,” said Brosas during a press briefing on Thursday, July 4.

(Our grade for the President will be "failed" because he can't report about doing nothing in his SONA.)

“This will just be another SONA. Ang tingin po namin dito, mga flowery words talaga ang pipiliin at malamang empty promises na naman,” she added. 

(We think flowery words will be chosen and probably empty promises again.)

Brosa, in particular, said the Marcos administration failed to substantially increase the minimum wage of workers--something that she has long called for.

“Kung ang irereport sa atin ay P35, malaking insulto ito sa mga manggagawa (If what will be reported to us is the P35, it would be a great insult to workers),” she stressed.

The lawmaker is referring to the recently approved P35 minimum wage hike for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

According to Brosas, another reason for giving Marcos a failing mark is his administration’s inability to address the rising prices in food and other basic commodities.

She pointed out that inflation continues to impact poor households and those in the marginalized sector.

“Ibig-sabihin hindi talaga nakakatugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan natin ang singil sa utilidad [at] kawalan ng trabaho,” the lawmaker explained.

(It means that the utility bills and unemployment do not really meet the needs of our citizens.)

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said President Marcos should present a clear stance on the ongoing issue in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the conflict between the Philippines and China.

Castro said the President should also say in his SONA the response of the administration to the calls for the outright ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

Brosas said she anticipates protests on the day of the SONA.

“Represented dapat ang lahat. In our democracy, dapat represented ang lahat at gusto namin na lumabas ang mga tao at magsabi kung ano ang mga changes na gusto nila with the current government,” she added.

(Everyone should be represented. In our democracy, everyone should be represented and we want people to come out and say what changes they want with the current government.)

The upcoming SONA on July 22, 2024 will take place at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

It will be the third SONA of President Marcos.