Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Metro Manila
SONA protesters press calls on rising cost of living, corruption
Philippines
Metro Manila
SONA protesters press calls on rising cost of living, corruption
SONA protesters press calls on rising cost of living, corruption
By Trixee Rosel
Published Jul 27, 2026 12:30 pm
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Updated Jul 27, 2026 01:06 pm
BAYAN-led multisectoral groups, including SANLAKAS and other allied organizations, hold a protest rally in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Monday, July 27, 2026, as they call for action on hunger and poverty, rising fuel and electricity prices, lack of secure jobs, and corruption during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). (Trixee Rosel/MANILABULLETIN)
Multisectoral groups staged protest rallies along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Monday, July 27, pressing demands for government action on hunger, poverty, rising fuel and electricity prices, job insecurity, and corruption in time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
BAYAN-led multisectoral groups, including SANLAKAS and other allied organizations, hold a protest rally in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Monday, July 27, 2026, as they call for action on hunger and poverty, rising fuel and electricity prices, lack of secure jobs, and corruption during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). (Trixee Rosel/MANILABULLETIN)
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), SANLAKAS, Better Brighter, and other groups are holding protest activities in designated areas along Commonwealth Avenue.
BAYAN and SANLAKAS are assigned to the Capitol Estate 1 area, while Better Brighter is holding its activity in front of the Commission on Audit (COA), according to Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety head Elmo San Diego.
The protesters are presenting their assessment of the country’s condition and the performance of the Marcos administration, particularly on issues affecting ordinary Filipinos.
People's SONA
BAYAN secretary-general Mong Palatino said the coalition’s annual People’s State of the Nation Address (People’s SONA) is focusing on the daily struggles of Filipinos and what he describes as the actual condition of the country.
BAYAN and its allied people’s organizations are holding their program along Commonwealth Avenue before marching to St. Peter Parish, where multisectoral groups are set to present their assessment of the country’s condition.
The program is underway, with organizers expecting up to 20,000 participants to join the protest activities.
The groups are highlighting what they describe as widespread hunger and poverty, rising fuel prices and electricity rates, the lack of secure jobs, and persistent corruption.
They say these issues reflect the condition of ordinary Filipinos under the Marcos administration and criticize what they call selective accountability in corruption cases.
“Teachers have given President Bongbong Marcos a clear mark—he has failed miserably,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers Chairperson Ruby Bernardo says.
“Marcos, Duterte, you should be ashamed. There is money, but it does not go to schools—it ends up in suitcases,” she adds.
U.S. influence
The rally featured a papier-mâché effigy depicting United States President Donald Trump as a puppet master controlling Marcos.
Palatino says the effigy symbolizes what organizers describe as the Philippine government’s subservience to the United States.
He also links the country’s economic problems, including high oil prices, to U.S. foreign policy and the Marcos administration’s close ties with Washington.
Protesters burned the effigy as a symbolic act of protest.
Authorities had warned that the burning of effigies and other objects was not allowed during the demonstrations.
Other groups join protest actions
More than 300 municipal fisherfolk from various organizations are also holding a “State of the Fisherfolk Address” to present their assessment of the Marcos administration and issues affecting the fishing sector, including municipal waters, the protection of marine and aquatic resources, and national sovereignty.
The fisherfolk groups are expected to join the multisectoral People’s SONA after their program.
Workers’ groups are also holding a mobilization to present what they describe as the real state of Filipino workers’ living and working conditions, with calls focusing on wages, jobs, livelihoods, trade union rights, and human rights.
Security
The Philippine National Police (PNP) says 21,642 personnel have been mobilized as part of a comprehensive security plan for the SONA, including personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the PNP national headquarters, the Special Action Force, and several regional police offices.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has also deployed 2,700 personnel to ensure police presence and operational readiness in key areas.
Police have conducted inspections of critical areas around the Batasang Pambansa, including Commonwealth Avenue, IBP Road, and nearby government facilities, to assess deployment zones, response routes, and coordination protocols.
Authorities have instructed police personnel to observe maximum tolerance and professionalism in dealing with protesters.
The PNP says it has not monitored any serious security threat related to the SONA but remains vigilant and will act on intelligence information received before or during the event.
Police warn that authorities will intervene if protests become violent or endanger public safety.
Crowd Dispersal Management contingents are deployed in the rally areas, while concrete barriers are placed to mark the boundaries of the designated protest zones.
Authorities also remind protesters to comply with the conditions of their permits, including keeping roads open to motorists and cleaning their respective areas after their programs.
A command center is established near the Batasang Pambansa Complex, while another monitoring center operates from Camp Crame.
Traffic
The SONA and the rallies are expected to cause heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and surrounding areas of the Batasang Pambansa.Police have designated three lanes for protesters, who are not allowed to approach the Batasang Pambansa.
Zipper lanes are also set to be implemented along Elliptical Road, Philcoa, and Doña Carmen to help ease traffic.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advises motorists to expect traffic disruptions and take alternate routes.
A liquor ban is also in effect in Quezon City from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday as part of the city’s security preparations.