Marcos' SONA Lacks Concrete Human Rights Agenda, Experts Say

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights and international law experts have pointed out a deficiency in concrete human rights agenda within President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). They suggested that the speech could have touched upon the continuing attacks on civil society, the practice of "red-tagging," and the matter of rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC). Lawyer Romel Bagares, who is also an international law expert, stressed that these topics are indispensable for grasping the human rights situation in the Philippines. The pursuit of accountability for alleged human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings that were reportedly prevalent in previous administrations, continues to be a subject of international scrutiny under the Marcos administration. The ICC has signaled a possibility of resuming its investigation into alleged human rights abuses connected to the Philippines' war on drugs, thus placing the Philippine government's stance under close observation. The restrained discussion of these human rights concerns in the SONA has elicited apprehension from various domestic and international watchdog organizations and human rights advocates. They maintain that upholding human rights and solidifying the rule of law are fundamental prerequisites for the attainment of President Marcos Jr.'s stated objectives of national unity and economic revitalization. Considering the historical backdrop of political repression and social disparities that have historically fueled human rights violations in the Philippines over several decades, the subsequent policy developments and their influence on enhancing future human rights safeguards will be a matter of keen interest.