Progressive groups join 'People's SONA' in QC
Published Jul 28, 2025 07:24 pm
Thousands of demonstrators from progressive organizations converged along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday afternoon, July 28, staging the “People’s SONA” protest just minutes before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.
Progressive groups march towards St. Peter Shrine along Commonwealth, Avenue in Quezon City on Monday, July 28, less than an hour before the State of the Nation of Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.
The program began around 3:30 p.m. near St. Peter Parish in Quezon City.
Protesters marched from Tandang Sora to UP Diliman and other parts of Quezon City before gathering near the parish, where the main program was held.
Despite heavy rains, participants remained in the place.
Their chants, banners, and placards reflected calls for social justice, wage increases, human rights protection, and genuine reforms in agriculture and labor.
Among the participating groups were Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Sanlakas, Sinagbayan, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Amihan (National Federation of Peasant Women), Anakpawis Party-list, and the Taytay Urban Poor Alliance Women.
Police, equipped with helmets and stationed behind steel barricades, had been deployed to secure the area ahead of the protest.
Protesters began removing the plastic barriers placed by the Quezon City Department of Traffic and Transport Management (TTMD) to allow wider occupation of the road.
Protesters began removing the plastic barriers placed by the Quezon City Department of Traffic and Transport Management (TTMD) to allow wider occupation of the road.
When the rallyists arrived, they began removing the plastic barriers placed by the Quezon City Department of Traffic and Transport Management (TTMD) to allow wider occupation of the road, as allowed under the rally permit.
The demonstrators then filled more lanes of Commonwealth Avenue to accommodate the swelling crowd.
The protest was marked by the symbolic destruction of an effigy mocking the President — dubbed “President Budol-Budol Marcos” (BBM) — a satirical representation of alleged deception and failed promises under the Marcos administration.
The effigy mocking the President, dubbed as “President Budol-Budol Marcos” (BBM) (Photo from Allysa Nievera)
While the effigy was not set on fire, it was torn down and destroyed by protesters in a dramatic display of public discontent. Fire trucks and firefighters were positioned nearby in anticipation of a possible fire.
The rally was spearheaded by Xian Guevara of Bayan Metro Manila and Reyna Valmones Salinas of Sanlakas.
Both leaders emphasized that the People’s SONA was an avenue for Filipinos to express frustration over worsening economic conditions, rising cost of living, continued attacks on human rights, and what they described as the administration’s failure to deliver meaningful change.
Progressive groups stage protest near St. Peter Parish, Commonwealth, Quezon City on Monday afternoon, July 28.
Progressive groups stage protest near St. Peter Parish, Commonwealth, Quezon City on Monday afternoon, July 28.
Over 2,700 protesters were recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP), most of whom were concentrated near the St. Peter Parish area.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Acting Chief P/Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said the event was generally peaceful, with no major incidents reported.
Col. Silvio was seen monitoring the demonstration, coordinating with ground units to ensure the situation remained under control.
Police officers stationed near St. Peter Shrine along Commonwealth Avenue Quezon City, secures the area for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr on Monday, July 28.