Protests, Gatherings Mark SONA 2026 Lead-up in PH and Overseas

MANILA, Philippines — As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gears up to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, various groups across the Philippines and overseas are organizing a series of protests and gatherings. These activities, ranging from protests and community forums to cultural events, are designed to amplify sectoral concerns and encourage public engagement in the lead-up to and on the day of the SONA. In Metro Manila, the Kabataan Partylist–National Capital Region will hold its "State of the Youth Address 2026" on Sunday, July 26, at the IFI National Cathedral Conference Hall. The event aims to gather youth groups, student councils, and leaders to voice calls on education, accountability, and social concerns. Meanwhile, approximately 10,000 protesters are expected to gather outside the Batasang Pambansa on July 27 for the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and its allied people’s organizations' annual "People’s State of the Nation Address." The program will commence at 12 pm along Commonwealth Avenue, followed by a march to Saint Peter Parish for what organizers describe as the country’s "real state of the nation." The UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) is organizing a forum titled, "SONA ALL! Stocktaking of PBBM’s SONA Promises from 2022-2025" on Friday, July 24, to examine the promises made by President Marcos since 2022. Online, Gabriela Youth – Muntinlupa and Kabataan Partylist – Muntinlupa are organizing a discussion on "Flood and Blood: The Cost of Corruption" on Friday, July 24, addressing national developments related to public accountability and core issues of the President's SONA. Sectoral activities are also prominent. Indigenous women from 20 communities across the Philippines will participate in the "National Indigenous Women Gathering 2026" from July 25 to 29, led by LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights). They will consolidate calls for accountability and justice concerning resource plunder and attacks on land and the environment. LILAK, along with Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) and In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (IDEFEND), will also lead a protest action outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Office on July 27, demanding accountability for corruption and environmental destruction. Vandals United is organizing a "Streets of the Nation Attack" protest on July 27 at the Commission on Human Rights, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, involving skaters, graffiti artists, and musicians to highlight issues of poverty, education, and workers' rights. In Lapu-Lapu City, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) Cebu Chapter is hosting an exhibition titled, "Same Old, Same Old: The State of the Nation," from July 24 to August 14, revisiting artistic responses to national issues. Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment and other environmental advocates will discuss concerns including black sand mining and plastic pollution during their "State of the Pangasinan Environment" event on Saturday, July 25. In Manila City, Youth for Nationalism and Democracy – PUP is organizing "Ano ang gusto mong marinig sa SONA 2026?" (What do you want to hear in SONA 2026) at Mendiola Bridge on July 27, calling for government accountability. Indigenous peoples, people’s organizations, and environmental advocates in Nueva Vizcaya are also staging a "People’s SONA" on July 27, protesting an exploration permit granted to North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation. Overseas mobilizations include a "People’s State of the Nation Address" organized by Sulong University of British Columbia (UBC) in British Columbia, Canada, on July 26, encouraging overseas Filipinos to speak out against corruption and human rights violations. In Berlin, Germany, ALPAS Pilipinas is staging its own "People’s State of the Nation Address 2026" at the Philippine embassy on July 27, expressing support for workers, migrants, and the youth resisting exploitation. BAYAN Australia and other Filipino organizations in Melbourne are organizing a "People’s SONA Rally: What is the true state of the Filipinos Abroad" on Sunday, July 26, to highlight the conditions of Filipinos abroad and their demands from the government. These planned activities underscore the active civil society engagement and demand for accountability leading up to President Marcos Jr.'s SONA, reflecting a diverse range of public sentiment and concerns.