Activists Give Failing Grade to President Marcos Early
Thousands of protesters took to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, expressing their frustration with the Marcos administration’s policies. Longtime activists unanimously gave President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a failing grade halfway through his term, citing soaring prices and insufficient support for workers and marginalized groups.
During the annual “People’s Sona” event, held just before the President’s official State of the Nation Address, activists shared their concerns. Local leaders noted the rising cost of essential goods and the lack of meaningful programs to aid vulnerable sectors as key reasons for their poor rating.
Former representative and senatorial candidate Liza Maza explained that the “People’s Sona” aims to reveal the true hardships faced by Filipinos. She declared in Filipino, “That’s why the people’s [rating] for President Marcos is zero—he failed this year. The situation of many Filipinos just [become] worse. Prices of goods are high, and the wage hike is just a pittance.”
Wage Increase Too Small to Offset Inflation
The recent P50 daily wage increase, effective July 18, benefits about 1.2 million workers in the National Capital Region (NCR). It raised the minimum wage from P645 to P695 for non-agriculture sectors, and from P608 to P658 for agricultural, service, retail, and small manufacturing workers.
Despite this, Maza and former Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas criticized President Marcos’ meeting with former US President Donald Trump. They viewed the talks as unnecessary, especially since the US only marginally reduced tariffs on Philippine goods from 20% to 19%.
Calls for Genuine Action on Rising Prices
Former Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said the rally was a platform to demand real solutions for the rising cost of living. She urged the government to abolish the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on food, utilities, and oil. Speaking in Filipino, she stated, “Filipino women give Marcos Jr. a failing grade because in his three years in office, the crisis facing women has only worsened.”
Elago emphasized, “We are here at the People’s Sona to strongly call for genuine action on rising prices, which have long been the top concern of women and Filipino families.”
Activist-farmer Danilo Ramos also gave Marcos a failing grade, calling the P20 per kilo rice program a mere “band-aid solution.” Originally launched in the Visayas and now available in 94 areas nationwide, Ramos said in Filipino, “It’s a total failure. For farmers, Marcos is a pest, a plague on the masses—especially with his recent trip to the US.”
Demanding Legislative Change and Accountability
Former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of Marcos’ leadership in passing laws that help the poor. He urged Congress to approve a bill banning political dynasties, raise wages, and suspend VAT to ease the burden of rising costs.
Colmenares asked in Filipino, “How will he get a passing grade for his Sona when prices are soaring?” Meanwhile, lawyer and former senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu doubted the value of grading Marcos at all. He said, “When you grade someone, it means they at least tried—even if they failed. Like studying for a test but still flunking. Bongbong Marcos doesn’t even need a grade—he hasn’t made any effort at all.”
Espiritu described the “People’s Sona” as a call for accountability, with people losing hope in the President’s leadership.
Marcos’ Sona Highlights and Omissions
In his fourth State of the Nation Address, Marcos highlighted some accomplishments and warned against corruption in government infrastructure projects, especially failed flood control efforts. He also threatened to veto any national budget proposal not aligned with his administration’s priorities.
Critics pointed out that Marcos did not address key issues such as the proliferation of online gambling or the push for its nationwide ban. He also remained silent on the Philippines’ potential re-entry to the International Criminal Court and did not update the public about former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case in The Hague.
Additionally, Marcos made no mention of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, which the Supreme Court had declared unconstitutional.
For more news and updates on President Marcos’ Policies and Performance, visit Filipinokami.com.
