Camille Naredo

Protest groups rally in Quezon City a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News

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SONA

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785077218042viber_image_2026-07-26_21-55-40-453.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Protest groups rally in Quezon City a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News"/>Protest groups rally in Quezon City a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Protest groups staged demonstrations in Quezon City on Sunday, July 26, a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Southern Tagalog shaved their heads in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), symbolizing their opposition to what they described as government projects harmful to the environment.The protest formed part of the group&#x27;s caravan ahead of the President&#x27;s SONA.From the DENR, the group proceeded to the Department of Agrarian Reform, where they threw mud at effigies of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte before continuing their protest outside Camp Aguinaldo.Lucky Oraller, spokesperson for BAYAN Southern Tagalog, said each stop in the caravan highlighted the concerns of different sectors.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/26/rally-areas-inilaan-para-sa-magpoprotesta-sa-sona-ni-marcos-2022">Rally areas inilaan para sa magpoprotesta sa SONA ni Marcos </a> </div>“Bawat ahensya, ipinapakita namin ang kalagayan ng isang sektor at ipinapanawagan namin ang iba&#x27;t ibang panawagang batay sa kanilang isyu at hinahing na kinakaharap. Pinagdidiinan namin na ito at ang tunay na kalagayan ng mamayan sa ilalim ng rehimen ng ating Pangulo.” Effigies have long been a centerpiece of SONA protests. The themes change every year to reflect protesters&#x27; grievances.This year, the group&#x27;s effigy, titled &quot;Puppet and the Puppet Master,&quot; depicts what they claim is the United States&#x27; influence over the Marcos administration.“Sa nakalipas na apat na taon, ang pamahalaan ni Marcos Jr. ay tuta ng imperialismong US. Pinayagan niya ang dagdag base militar. Year-round military exercises at ngayon meron tayong Pax Silica na magbibigay ng lupa, pandarambong ng ating yamang likas,” said BAYAN spokesperson Mong Palatino.Tambisan sa Sining secretary-general Jaime Calma, meanwhile, said effigies remain a symbolic form of protest.“‘Yong effigy ay isang makasining na pamamaraan sa pagpapakita ng galit doon sa kasalukuyang nangyayari. ‘Yong pagpapakita ng patuloy na kahirapan ng sambayanan,” Calma said.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/25/filipinos-seek-action-on-corruption-rising-prices-ahead-of-marcos-5th-sona-2301">Filipinos seek action on corruption, rising prices ahead of Marcos&#x27; 5th SONA</a></div>According to Project Gunita co-founder Karl Patrick Suyat, effigies were first used in the 1970s during the martial law era under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.“Hindi sinunog yung effigy at the time. Binato ito kay President Marcos. Paglabas niya ng old legislative building, palabas na siya, tapos na ‘yong SONA niya. At nag-scramble agad yung presidential security, umikot sa kanya. And nag-wild, ang term at the time was, nag-wild-wild west, talaga nagwala ang Manila,” said Suyat.Over the years, burning effigies has become a recurring feature of SONA protests.This year, however, the Philippine National Police, in coordination with the DENR said it will monitor possible violations of the Philippine Clean Air Act if protesters burn effigies.“Sila po yung magtutukoy kung meron pong magiging paglabag sa Philippine Clean Air Act or iba pang environmental laws na idodocument po nila,” said NCRPO spokesperson PMaj. Hazel Asilo.“Nandiyan po yung ating Bureau of Fire [Protection]. Hindi muna sila aarestuhin pero agad pong aapulahin yung kanilang ginagawang susunuging effigy.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785077140470HN0-_8MawAA3plp.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Protesters prepare effigies for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News"/>Protesters prepare effigies for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News</div>BAYAN, however, maintained that burning effigies is protected as a form of free expression.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/26/atom-holds-anti-corruption-march-along-ayala-avenue-1347">ATOM holds anti-corruption march along Ayala Avenue</a></div>“Ang pagsunog po ng effigy part ‘yan ng freedom of expression. Wala pong karapatan ang mga awtoridad lalo na ang pulis na magdikta kung anong protesta ang pwede nating gawin. Ang clean air act ang tinutukoy, basura. Ito ay hindi naman basura, artwork yan. It’s a legitimate protest,” Palatino added. While several groups are expected to rally against the administration, another organization said it would hold a demonstration in support of President Marcos.Sandugo founder Jet Gonzaga said the group intends to show its support for the administration and its programs.“We stand for our PBBM sa Pangulo po. ‘Yon po ang tema ng rally bukas. Ang kanyang pamunuan naman, tuloy-tuloy ang kanyang programa despite na may mga problema sa crisis sa ating bansa,” said Gonzaga. “Tuloy-tuloy naman, sa medical, lahat, sa mga labor, sector, lalo na sa West Philippine Sea, yun yung talagang dapat protektahan yung West Philippine Sea rin,” he added.<div> </div><div>TIGHT SECURITY DURING SONA </div>The NCRPO said security will be tightened along Commonwealth Avenue during the SONA as protests are expected.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/26/main-challenge-for-marcos-fifth-sona-is-restoring-public-trust-says-analyst-1708">Main challenge for Marcos&#x27; fifth SONA is restoring public trust, says analyst </a> </div>Three lanes will be designated for protesters but they will not be allowed to approach the Batasang Pambansa.Authorities will also implement zipper lanes along Elliptical Road, Philcoa, and Doña Carmen to help ease traffic.Classes at all levels in both public and private schools in Quezon City and Manila have also been suspended to ease heavy traffic and allow students and teachers to tune in to the address.

Protest groups staged demonstrations in Quezon City on Sunday, July 26, a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Protest groups staged demonstrations in Quezon City on Sunday, July 26, a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Protest groups rally ahead of Marcos 5th SONA; police warn vs. effigy burning

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Protest groups rally ahead of Marcos 5th SONA; police warn vs. effigy burning

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 26, 2026 10:48 PM PHT

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