Outside Batasan Pambansa, tens of thousands braved the torrential rain, the pre-SONA threats and intimidation by state forces, and of course, the police barricade that virtually became a garrison in the middle of Commonwealth Avenue, to register intense dissatisfaction with the country’s state of affairs under Aquino. Inside, meanwhile, people’s representatives were equally defiant.
It was presumably President Aquino’s last State of the Nation Address; it felt like either an Oscar acceptance speech or a high school valedictory address. Either way, none of it expresses the true state of the nation — intense poverty and exploitation, massive gap between the wealthy few and impoverished many, foreign domination over the country’s politics and economy — like the protest action mounted by progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan). This time, tens of thousands braved the torrential rain, the pre-SONA threats and intimidation by state forces, and of course, the police barricade that transformed Commonwealth Avenue into a virtual garrison, to register intense dissatisfaction with the country’s state of affairs under Aquino.
Photos were taken by Boy Bagwis inside Batasan Pambansa, and KR Guda, Pher Pasion, Macky Macaspac, Darius Galang, Marjo Malubay and Gregorio Dantes Jr. in the protest action.
Tens of thousands begin their march from Luzon-Commonwealth to begin the protest action against President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address. Darius GalangHundreds of cops block the protesters, who asserted their constitution right to assemble and protest. KR GudaProtesters carry hundreds of placards with image of Aquino in a police lineup–suggesting that the current president must be arrested and held in prison after his term ends in 2016. KR GudaAs protesters assert their right to march through Commonwealth, police block them with truncheons, hurting dozens of protesters. KR GudaScuffles ensue before cops momentarily retreat. KR GudaAngry protesters remain defiant in face of the police barricade. KR GudaAfter expressing defiance at the police barricade, protesters march to the direction of other protesters from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon who were positioned near Ever Commonwealth and were also confronting police barricades. KR GudaPhoto by Mykel AndradaPhoto by Darius GalangMeanwhile, police also attempt to disperse the protesters from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon by hosing them with water. But the protesters did not relent. Gregorio Dantes Jr.More attempts at hosing down the protests. Gregorio Dantes Jr.Photo by Darius GalangProtesters from peasant organizations led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas try to push away container vans that block their march. Gregorio Dantes Jr.Not deterred by the water cannon, protesters remove other barriers to their way. KR GudaPolice barricade. KR GudaA few protesters try to get back at the cops who hosed them down by feebly striking wooden poles on the truncheons. KR GudaA few cops take videos of the action using GoPro cameras. KR GudaProtesters begin the program with a cultural performance. Dancers remove the stars-and-stripes blindfold. KR GudaUnion leader of Tanduay workers, who are on their 69th day of strike that day, speaks during the program. KR GudaIndigenous people from Central Luzon also attend the protest. Darius GalangSol Pillas of Migrante International introduces two mothers of OFWs detained abroad, Celia Veloso and Maritess Aquino. KR GudaMusician Gary Granada sings with the group League of Authors of Public Interest Songs (Lapis) for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan’s program in Commonwealth. Macky MacaspacAmid the rain, protest artists are able to keep the effigy — presumably the last one of President Aquino — dry. Marjo MalubayProtest signs and a mock jeep. Pher PasionVeteran activists join in the action. Pher PasionMeanwhile, inside Batasan Pambansa, supporters give Aquino an ovation. Boy BagwisPhoto by Boy BagwisAquino begins his speech, which is full of audio-video presentations, self-congratulatory messages and shout-out to his closest cronies. Boy BagwisIn a show of defiance and protest inside Batasan, Makabayan bloc legislators hold up signs critcizing Aquino for being “abusive haciendero”, human rights violator, pork barrel king, providing inept services, being a puppet of US imperialism, and being a bane to workers and peasants. Boy BagwisPhoto by Boy BagwisPhoto by Boy BagwisPhoto by Boy BagwisWhile Aquino was speaking, protesters burn his effigy, which depicts Aquino riding an MRT to hell. Pher PasionPhoto by Macky MacaspacPhoto by Darius GalangProtesters clean up after the program. In Batasan, garbage continues to pile up. Pher Pasion
Isang gabi noong 2007, tahimik na tinanggap nina Connie Empeno at Linda Cadapan ang kuwento tungkol sa pagmamalupit ng militar sa kanilang anak na sina Karen at Sherlyn. Tahimik sila, pero determinadong ipagpatuloy ang paghahanap at paglaban.
Botong protesta kontra sa kasalukuyang rehimeng Aquino ang nakaraang halalan. Samantala, nakapagpalakas muli ang progresibong mga puwersa, habang lalong nailantad nila ang kabulukan ng sistemang elektoral ng bansa.
