AS I write this, State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2021 is a few hours in the future. When I was asked last week on ANC what I hoped the President would say, my answer was that I was not looking for any particular action plan on the pandemic since “only a fool or a liar thinks they have the best solution.” Perhaps “Covid sucks” is the proper response followed by “We—meaning you and us—are doing everything we can to survive and thrive”.
But regardless of what President Duterte may say or not say, there is a bigger important picture to the annual State of the Nation Address to remember. Let’s take a trip down memory lane from sources both domestic and foreign.
July 25, 2012: “SONA protesters question “daang matuwid.” Brought together by their shared indignation toward Aquino’s allegedly empty promises and apathy for the poor, thousands marched along Commonwealth Avenue.” July 25, 2013: “Manila newest hot spot for international wave of protests. Why I spent the last week building a giant effigy of the president of the Philippines.”
July 28, 2014: “People’s SONA: Boss ‘fires’ PNoy. I did not see his ‘tuwid na daan [straight path].’ This is evident in the slow rehabilitation efforts after Typhoon Yolanda hit. In day-to-day situations, we can feel this when prices of basic commodities increase.” July 27, 2015: “BAYAN leads People’s SONA, gives Aquino a failing grade.”
July 24, 2017: “People’s SONA 2017. Thousands of protesters show discontent as they face Duterte. We now face the US-Duterte regime, imperialist tool in oppressing the Filipino people.” July 23, 2018: “Thousands hold SONA 2018 protests around PH. It is not true that President Duterte achieved nothing. In fact, he was able to unite different groups and the public to fight against tyranny, charter change, and dictatorship.”
July 22, 2019: “SONA protest groups decry lack of action vs. China. A sea of protesters donned in blue flooded Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, to protest the administration as President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address.”
July 28, 2020: “SONA 2020 protests around the Philippines. Despite threats of arrests and the coronavirus pandemic, sectoral groups across the country came out to protest. They made calls to human rights abuses, defend press freedom, junk the new Anti-Terrorism Law, push for an inclusive education system, fair transportation, and address livelihood concerns, among others.”
Compare and contrast. October 8, 2020: “Indonesia: Thousands protest against “omnibus law” on jobs. Hundreds were arrested in Jakarta. Hundreds more have been held in strikes and protests in other cities this week.” August 27, 2020: “Thailand: More Protest Leaders Arrested. The police charged the activists with sedition, assembly with intent to cause violence, and other criminal offenses related to their involvement in a peaceful pro-democracy protest in Bangkok. Both are prominent advocates for gender equality and LGBT rights.”
Malaysia—May 19, 2021: “The police arrested graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza in relation to a jealousy-themed Spotify playlist he had created as a satirical response to a controversial tweet by Malaysia’s queen. He is being investigated under Malaysia’s Sedition Act.”
July 14, 2021: “More than 70 killed in South Africa protests after former leader Jacob Zuma is jailed. Protesters and looters have set malls ablaze and clashed with police, who are now so overwhelmed that the military has been brought in to back them up.”
July 26, 2021: “Eleazar allows protesters’ march for SONA 2021. Eleazar said the PNP was expecting the protesters to maintain minimum health protocols.”
Far from perfect and below what we want. But only a fool or a liar thinks democracy is dead in the Philippines.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.
1 comment
I always look forward to reading your article. Well researched, factual, objective & insightful.
The left and pseudo-opposition pro-democracy forces should chew on this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.