Members of labor group Sanlakas, farmers’ group Bukluran ng Mambubukid sa Pilipinas, and civil society group Freedom from Debt Coalition, held a march rally from Rizal Park to the Fountain of Justice at the old City Hall in Bacolod to protest the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte July 26.
The protesters, mostly wearing black shirts, demanded what they called a “people’s economic relief for the poor” and denounced the administration’s failure to fulfil its campaign promises in the 2016 elections.
Sanlakas local coordinator Jun Ano said they are disappointed by Duterte’s failure to stop the illegal labor practice of contractualization, as well as the unresolved killings and continued red-tagging among progressive group leaders.
The groups also thumbed down the intention of Duterte to run for vice president in the May 2022 elections.
The protesters, meanwhile, ensured compliance with the physical distancing protocol during their demonstration. — MML
