MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 7) Left-wing groups dismissed Monday’s State of the Nation Address President's congressional speech as “ridiculous” and “not reflective of reality,” and said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to give the public the true state of the nation.

“The State of the Nation address [SONA] was [delivered] by someone who seems to be from another planet, detached from reality,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance) secretary general Renato Reyes said during the “people's SONA” staged by thousands of activists along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Reyes said the estimated 13,000 protesters were unhappy with the President's speech because “she showed more interest in foreign debt servicing than in helping the poor.”

He also called Arroyo “obsessed” with the value added tax (VAT) for her refusal to remove the controversial tax on basic commodities.

Earlier, leftist lawmakers boycotted what they the called a “fashion show” to join the “people’s SONA.”

“Dito, ang ipinapahayag ay ang tunay na kalagayan ng karaniwang mamamayan [Here, what is being portrayed is the true state of the ordinary citizen],” said Bayan Muna (People First) Representative Satur Ocampo said, who was joined by the four other members of the main leftist bloc in the House -- Representatives Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna, Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan of Garbiela, and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis (Toiling Masses).

“We are not there [Batasan] because we do not believe in what she [Arroyo] will be saying. We will stand with the people who will expose the true state of the citizenry,” Ocampo said.

As of this posting, traffic remains snarled on Commonwealth Avenue.

Ocampo said “slapdash” and “patchwork” solutions will not solve the crises gripping the country, triggered by the continued escalation of the prices of fuel, power and basic commodities.

Minutes before Arroyo delivered her SONA, the protesters burned an effigy showing the President flying away on a plane while a ship sank.

Inspired by the June 21 sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars while Arroyo was on a visit to the United States, the effigy represents the President allegedly abandoning the country as it sinks in crises.

Shortly before 3 p.m., police prevented around a hundred labor activists from breaking through the barricades they had set up at St. Peter’s church and heading for the Batasang Pambansa where Arroyo will be delivering her SONA.

The laborers passed through the westbound side of Commonwealth as protesters staged a program on the opposite side.

Earlier, the protesters accused police of not honoring their word after activists were barred from the designated rally site 100 meters from the St. Peter’s church.

The protesters had been stopped in front of the Ever Gotesco Mall, just before the church.

But after negotiations between protest leaders and authorities, the police backed away and set up another barricade in front of the church, which is near the Batasang Pambansa, where Arroyo will deliver her speech.

"Hindi sila [police] tumutupad sa usapan [They are not complying with the agreement]," Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance) secretary general
Renato Reyes said earlier.

He said they were thinking of filing charges against Director Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office.

Reyes said they expect around 10,000 people to join the protest demanding for a wage increase, oil price rollbacks, and the ouster of Arroyo but police estimated the crowd at 7,000.

Earlier on Monday, the protesters asked Arroyo to stop lying.

Aside from calling for the President's ouster, groups want Arroyo to tell the truth. And the truth, said Bayan, is that the Arroyo government is "fooling" the people.

Militant groups marched to the rally area carrying a 21-foot effigy of Arroyo "abandoning" the country, symbolized by a sinking ship, inspired by the capsizing of the MV Princess of the Stars last June.

Militant groups called on Arroyo to stop the "festival of lies," and to bring "immediate economic relief to the country."

Youth groups also staged classroom walkouts and headed to Tandang Sora before heading to Commonwealth Avenue. Participating schools include University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, and Arellano University, among others.

Cities across the country have also vowed to participate in the protest.

Protests were held in Baguio City, Southern Tagalog, Bicol and Caraga regions, and the cities of Cebu, Davao and Bacolod.

Protest actions in US, Canada, and Australia will also be held.

Regional transport strikes are set on Tuesday in the Bicol provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon.