Militants stage rally during Aquino’s Sona

ALMOST a thousand members of militant groups on Monday staged protest rally at Araneta Street, Bacolod City to show their dissatisfaction on the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Benigno Aquino III.

Bayan-Negros Sec. Gen. Christian Tuayon said they are unsatisfied on the Sona of the President, claiming that it is shameful for the Filipino people to give credit in his administration that there’s development in the country.

“Until now, the poor Filipino people still remained poor. There are no changes in their lives,” Tuayon said.

Bayan Negros also challenged the President to lay down his program for the poor to ensure that they have food to eat every day.

Tuayon refuted Aquino’s Sona statements that there were changes and development in his administration.

“If there were changes in his administration, why are our farmers still asking the help of our local government units to give them food,” he asked.

He also said the President should stop criticizing the former administration. “Although the former president is also accountable of abuses, Aquino should to act for the development of the Filipino people.”

He added the President should also file charges against the former administration, as what he promised in his first Sona that he will run after those corrupt politicians.

Tuayon claimed that they don’t expect too much in the second Sona of the President.

He stressed that the President should give priority on land reform and industrialization, adding that he should also stop being a puppet government of the United States.

Gabriela Sec. Gen. Ma.Rina Amacio also said Aquino failed to implement programs for the poor Filipino people.

Amacio said they expect on the Sona of the President that he could answer the continued price increases of basic commodities.

“But until now, the oil price hike still continues, as well as the low wages of the Filipino people,” she pointed out.

She said even the filing of charges against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are still unanswered, claiming that it’s not true that even in Aquino’s one-year administration, he can’t do anything for the good of the Filipino people.

“The President is still a failure in delivering services for the Filipino people. I’m dissatisfied with his Sona,” Amacio said.

The rally was also attended by the groups of KMP, NFS and Anak-Bayan.