Minority bloc boycotts Marcos' SONA, citing democratic concerns

MANILA, Philippines — A significant bloc of senators, citing concerns over a deteriorating democratic space and the administration’s prosecution of its critics, boycotted President Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday. Only Sen. Camille Villar attended the SONA among the minority bloc members. Hours before the President’s address, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, along with Senators Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, and Loren Legarda, appeared in black attire at the Senate’s opening session and announced their decision not to proceed to the Batasang Pambansa for the speech. Cayetano explained his choice to wear black as a symbol of protest against what he described as a "crisis of hope," amidst declining public trust in government, unresolved corruption issues, and economic uncertainty. He stated his preference to watch the SONA on television, suggesting it might make the administration more comfortable. Senator Imee Marcos cited the continued filing of cases against members of the minority as the reason for her absence. "We are hurt because members of the minority are being jailed and charged. That’s something I find difficult to accept," she said. She also denied any prior agreement among minority senators to wear black or boycott the SONA, stating they only inquired about each other's intentions the morning of the address. Also absent from the SONA were Vice President Sara Duterte, Sen. Robin Padilla, detained Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who has been out of public view since May following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Malacañang, however, downplayed the boycott, with Palace press officer Claire Castro asserting that the absence of the minority bloc would have no impact on the SONA. "They are not a loss. What is important is the message of the President," she stated. "People who have no interest or who do not want to listen to the President, they are not a loss. The SONA will push through." Outside Congress, approximately 12,000 protesters gathered near the Batasang Pambansa, while another 7,000 joined rallies near St. Peter Parish and in front of the Commission on Audit, voicing grievances over corruption, rising prices, wages, and other national issues. Renato Reyes Jr., president of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), criticized the Marcos administration's response to the ongoing economic crisis as "generally lacking" and "insignificant." Labor leader Luke Espiritu echoed these sentiments, calling the administration's solutions "cosmetic" and failing to address the root causes of problems. Pax Silica was also a focus of protest, with Partido Lakas ng Masa chair Leody de Guzman denouncing the project as a "lie" that would displace farmers. Protest actions were also held in other parts of the country, including Manila and Baguio. During the demonstrations, at least 51 activists were arrested. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that those arrested were being investigated for alleged violations of environmental law (RA 9003), public assembly law (BP 880), and local ordinances. Among those apprehended were 13 minors and six members of Vandals United caught spray-painting a Meralco wall. One man was arrested for allegedly punching a police major. Of those nabbed, 45 were detained at the Quezon City Police District headquarters, while six were brought to QCPD Station 6. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced it would investigate potential links between the arrested individuals and suspects involved in previous anti-corruption rallies. Information Source: Philstar Nation