MANILA, Philippines — Protesters gathered in Cebu City on Monday, marching from the provincial Capitol to downtown as part of a demonstration calling for higher wages, land reform, and government accountability. The rally, organized by various sectors including labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, and student groups, took place hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was set to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2026 (cebudailynews.inquirer.net).
The Sona, which is a key annual speech by the Philippine president, will focus on flood control scandal updates, tax policy amendments, and electricity reforms. Marcos is expected to highlight his administration’s achievements and outline future priorities, according to reports from the Inquirer (newsinfo.inquirer.net). The timing of the protest underscores growing public interest and scrutiny over the government’s policies ahead of the address.
The demonstration reflects ongoing social and economic concerns in the country, with participants demanding tangible changes and greater transparency. As the nation prepares for the Sona, the protests highlight the tension between the administration’s agenda and the expectations of the public.
