VARIOUS groups gather at the Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue, Davao City to air their different sentiments to the current administrations in time for the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Monday morning, July 24.
These groups include Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Act-Teachers Partylist, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao, Kabataan, Bayan, Gabriela, Selda, and Sabokahan, among others.
They conducted a “People’s Sona” wherein they demanded Marcos to address all of the socio-political crises of the country and held him accountable “for his actions and inactions during his term.”
“Walang nagbago sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng bansa. Mataas pa rin ang inflation rate, niyuyurakan pa rin ang ating kalikasan, walang mataas na budget para sa batayang serbisyo kagaya ng edukasyon at kalusugan na kusang binibigay ng gobyerno. Sa pagyurak ng karapatan natin nararapat lang na bigyan ng bagsak na grado ang Marcos Jr.-Duterte na rehimen (Nothing has changed in the current situation of the country. The inflation rate is still high, our Mother Earth is being trampled on, there is no high budget for basic services such as education and health that the government should be providing for us. For trampling over our rights, the Marcos Jr-Duterte regime deserves a failing grade),” said Anakbayan Spokesperson Beverly Gofredo.
Meanwhile, Kabataan Partylist Vice President for Mindanao Harvey Lao expressed his concern over the urgent passing and signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund Act. Lao stated that the MIF is Marcos’ way of legalizing his corrupt ways. He added that the immediate passing of the Charter Change is the president’s way of extending his term.
Also, the Gabriela Youth Davao Chairperson Sakura Nemis remembered the political prisoners and killings that happened in the region. She recalled the Pangadas Brothers that were captured in last year’s Sona but are now present in today’s rally. She also revealed that a total of 30 youths that are political prisoners are all scattered in the region.
In a spot report by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), there were about 50 individuals who participated in the rally and by 11 a.m. the rallyists vacated the area. Authorities declared the protest as generally peaceful and normal. (RGP)