Protesters Burn Effigies Ahead State of Nation Address
In a dramatic protest before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Tagalog burned two striking effigies. These effigies, called “ZomBBM” and “Sara-nanggal,” symbolized the so-called monsters haunting the country’s political landscape.
Bayan Southern Tagalog spokesperson Lucky Oraller explained that the two effigies represent deep concerns about current leadership. “ZomBBM,” a clever play on the words “zombie” and “BBM” (Bongbong Marcos), portrays Marcos as a puppet controlled by foreign powers, specifically the United States.
Symbolism Behind the ‘ZomBBM’ Effigy
Behind the Marcos effigy, a figure representing former US President Donald Trump was visible. This symbolized Marcos’ recent alignment with the U.S., highlighted by the announcement that the United States reduced tariffs on Philippine goods from 20% to 19% following his official visit.
Oraller criticized Marcos sharply, saying in Filipino, “He cannot speak properly, he is not in his right mind. He merely follows his master—the United States and Trump.” This comment underscores the protestors’ view of Marcos as lacking autonomy in policymaking.
‘Sara-nanggal’ Effigy Highlights Corruption Allegations
The second effigy, “Sara-nanggal,” combines Vice President Sara Duterte’s name with “manananggal,” a mythical creature known for separating its upper body from its lower half. The effigy revealed a stash of money hidden in its lower section, symbolizing alleged theft.
Oraller explained in Filipino, “This is Sara Duterte’s theft of public funds—money that should have gone toward public services for the people.” Duterte’s impeachment earlier this year accused her of betraying public trust by misusing confidential funds intended for education and other government programs.
Despite impeachment proceedings, the Senate voted to send the articles back to the House of Representatives. Furthermore, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled the impeachment case unconstitutional, although spokesperson Camille Ting clarified that this decision does not clear Duterte of the charges.
Public Reaction and Political Climate
The burning of these effigies reflects widespread frustration among certain groups over perceived corruption and undue foreign influence in the Philippines. Protesters used vivid imagery to criticize current leaders, hoping to draw attention to ongoing political controversies ahead of the SONA.
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