Faith-based groups in the Philippines joined thousands of protesters across the country as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.
Members of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) distributed hot meals to protesters and bystanders along Commonwealth Avenue a few hours before the SONA began.
Sister Lisa Ruedas, DC of the Church People-Workers Solidarity said the hunger index is “still above pre-pandemic levels” but “the Marcos administration has shown us no concrete plan or program for delivering better services to the poor”.
The missionary sister said the gap between the wealthiest Filipinos and the poor “demonstrates how morally bankrupt leadership by the ruling elite has become”, adding “such brazen greed and abuse of power is an affront to God”.
In his second SONA, Marcos Jr. highlighted economic issues and his administration’s achievements. He said the gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.8 percent last year but he did not mention that the Philippines has suffered a severe economic drop during the pandemic.
The president also said that the inflation rate has eased from 8.7 percent in January to 5.8 percent in June.
Church leaders, however, said that the “real state of the nation” is very evident in communities where hunger and poverty are prevalent.
Rev. Homar Distajo, spokesperson of PCPR, said they have anticipated “a lot of diplomatic spin and false promises” in Marcos Jr.’s speech.
“President Marcos Jr. should listen to the cries of farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, workers, students, urban poor, women and youth; they easily voice the dismal state of the nation as well as their deep desires for a more equitable and just society,” he said.
The pastor urged the president to help poor Filipinos “get food on the table” instead of using taxpayers’ money in the Maharlika Investment Fund.
“We need to raise our voices and stand with the poor in calling for better governance from the Marcos administration,” he said.
Pastor Irma Balaba of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines said church and faith-based organizations “do what we can to serve the poor and marginalized” despite the attacks and vilification allegedly perpetuated by state forces.
“Then the government will red-tag us,” Balaba said. “We do not tire in mission and ministry, because we know how hard people are struggling to survive and to meet their basic needs.”
