It is with much hope that we await the upcoming State of the Nation Adress of Pres. Duterte because on that day, we will see a broad people’s movement united against his tyrannical rule.
The “United People’s SONA” is a breakthrough in the fight against Duterte’s brutal and oppressive regime. It unites a wide spectrum of sectors, organizations and concerned citizens against Duterte’s attempts to reimpose authoritarian rule. It embodies our people’s struggle for democracy, social justice and national sovereignty.
In only two years, Duterte has exposed himself as a sham. His two year rule has been one of vulgar speeches, empty boasts and failed promises. Gone is the promise of ending the illegal drug trade in 3-6 months, ending labor contractualization, lowering taxes, pursuing an independent foreign policy or achieving peace. Instead, we have a grim spectacle of 23,000 killings, martial law in a third of the country, spiraling prices, a policy of kowtowing to China and the United States, the watering down of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and termination of the GRP-NDFP peace talks.
The biggest threat is Duterte’s Cha-cha, which aims to impose authoritarian rule in the guise of a shift to a federal system of government. Coupled with the self-serving agenda of the politicians and entrenched political dynasties in Congress, this will mean even more oppression and hardship for our people.
On July 23, the Movement Against Tyranny will join the United People’s SONA and its call of “Itakwil ang Duterte Cha-cha, Labanan ang Diktadura!” It is only through such united actions that we can defeat Duterte’s tyranny.
#KasamaAko
