Protesters march to Commonwealth Ave. ahead of Duterte’s final Sona

The final Sona of President Rodrigo Duterte was met by protest actions by various groups in UP Diliman. INQUIRER.net photo / Zacarian Sarao

MANILA, Philippines — Protesters who gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman have begun marching to Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.

Protesters from various groups including Bayan, Karapatan, Akbayan, Anakbayan, Sentro, Sanlakas, and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino gathered in UP – Diliman at 9:00 a.m.

The rallyists, while exercising social distancing, chanted in unison as they marched: “Ang tao, ang bayan, Duterte’y wawakasan.”

The groups said their protest is a condemnation of Duterte’s tyranny and rights abuses during his five years in office.

Makabayan bloc lawmakers also attended the gathering, wearing their protest Sona outfits.

At about 11:45 AM, the demonstrators began marching towards Commonwealth Avenue, where they agreed to converge and not go beyond St. Peter’s Church along Tandang Sora.

Duterte is set to deliver his final Sona at the Batasan after the official opening of the joint session of Congress on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has already opened its third regular session hours.

The session will be held in hybrid set-up, with some members physically present at the Batasang Pambansa and others attending through video conferencing.

EDV