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For think tank group Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG), Marcos Jr’s first half is a “period marked by deepening socio-economic inequality, persistent political patronage, and intensifying geopolitical entanglements that undermine Philippine sovereignty.”
“Why is it that when the people demand accountability, our officials move so slowly? Now, this Supreme Court decision will only further delay our call for accountability.”
“In Southern Tagalog, farmers are already burdened by lost harvests and incomes. The people are not just struggling, they are being abandoned.”
Days ahead of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), progressive organizations under the banner of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Panay held a press conference Friday, July 25, denouncing what they called worsening economic and social conditions under the current administration.
“It is infuriating that unrepentant plunderers occupying high positions in government can maneuver and invoke bureaucratic rules and technicalities to escape punishment, even as they continue to commit serious crimes against the Filipino people,”
"We must not allow impunity to trump accountability."
SONA ng paniningil is this year's theme of people’s state of the nation (People’s SONA) as Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is midway in his term as president. For progressive groups, the three years of his administration has not made a significant difference to the lives of the Filipino people.
The specific 21 recommendations propose several solutions to address the major issues during the election period such as electoral violence, concentrations of political power among few families, vote-buying, and its legal framework.
“Because Marcos Jr. is not taking our calls and demands over the past three years seriously, and now the crisis in society is only getting worse, we are holding him accountable, and we will continue our calls until real change is achieved."
In a response to Duterte’s petition, Paolina Massed, principal counsel for the victims, said the former president’s interim release “would be hard to fathom for the victims who have clearly expressed the view that he should remain in detention at the Court pending the pre-trial proceedings.”
The prosecution said that it opposed Duterte’s interim release to the country cited by his lawyer saying that it is not an appropriate state to host the former president.
“The case at the ICC against former president [Rodrigo] Duterte and his co-conspirators is proof that the justice system in the Philippines has failed in rendering justice for the thousands of victims, a fact acknowledged by the local officials."
“It is true that the situation under this administration is not as severe as the previous administration. But in terms of real change, I think the Philippines has to take a number of measures before it can turn the page on the past."
Gabriela Women’s Partylist National Vice Chairperson Sarah Elago said that the cancellation of Duterte Youth Partylist’s registration should pave the way for Commission on Elections (Comelec) to remove other “fake and bogus partylists,” including those backed by political dynasties and big businesses.
Computer Professionals’ Union, an organization of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals and advocates, in a statement expressed alarm on the use of AI-generated content propagating false information for political gains and interest.
“Age and health, while relevant, cannot outweigh the rights of victims to see the process of justice carried to its end. The facilities of the ICC, the conditions of which are vastly superior to those in Philippine prisons, can guarantee the humane treatment of Duterte while he is detained."
“The people, not just in Metro Manila but in provinces all over the country, must hold protest actions to also urge the Senate to convene on June 21 so that this huge amount of public funds, which could have been used for free medicine, education, food, and other social services to the people, went.”
“Is the Senate not concerned to find out the answers of the Vice President on where she spent the P612 million that they themselves appropriated?”
“Every election in the Philippines, Amnesty International offers a clear pathway for reform through legislation calling newly elected Senators and Congress representatives to put human rights at the center of policy making."
“The Senate's action is not only legally baseless but also a clear abdication of its constitutional duty to try impeachment cases."
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