Protests, effigy burnings ahead of Marcos' SONA

Protests began early on Monday morning ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), with multi-sectoral groups, including Bayan Southern Tagalog and Bagong Alyansa Makabayan, gathering to demonstrate.

An effigy depicting President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte was burned at Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City around 8 a.m., concluding their 'People's Sona'.

Bayan Southern Tagalog leaders raised issues concerning the economy, agriculture, and labor sectors during their demonstration.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stated on Saturday that local law enforcement would not arrest individuals burning effigies during the SONA, according to Belmonte’s interpretation of the Public Assembly Act of 1985.

However, Metro Manila police chief Major General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. clarified that the police will continue to enforce the law and document any incidents involving the burning of effigies, potentially referring cases as test cases for legal scrutiny.