Youth groups stage pre-SONA march from UP Diliman to Ateneo

Various youth groups marched from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman to Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) as part of the National Youth SONA Action Day ahead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), July 22.

Representatives from different universities, including Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), LGBTQIA+ advocates, civil society organizations, and various Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councils joined the march led by Akbayan Youth, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), and Youth Against Kurakot.

The action was held under the banner, “End the Marcos-Duterte Dynasties! We Want Our Future Back!” as they called for accountability and reforms addressing issues affecting young Filipinos.

Prior to the mobilization, participants gathered outside the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice following a mass, where Akbayan Party-list Representatives Percival “Perci” Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula addressed the crowd and criticized corruption, highlighted proposed legislation, and condemned political infighting.

In his speech, Rep. Cendaña criticized the power struggle between the Marcos-Duterte political families and their allies, saying that while both camps for power, ordinary Filipinos continue to bear the burden of corruption, and urged the youth to become the alternative through collective action.

"Wala tayong aasahan sa Marcos at Duterte na walang ginawa kundi mag-agawan sa kapangyarihan habang ninanakawan ang taumbayan. Ang alternatibo ay tayo,” Cendaña said.

Meanwhile, Ismula highlighted several proposed measures that she said seek to uphold the welfare of students and workers.

"Walang magulang ang dapat mangamba kung makakauwi ang kanilang mga anak sa kanilang bahay nang ligtas. Walang kabataan ang matatakot sa kanilang kapwa mag-aaral. Lahat ng ito ay hindi entitlement, hindi ito luho, at hindi ito kalabisan," Ismula remarked.

She contrasted these measures with what she described as excessive government spending, citing controversies surrounding confidential funds and flood control projects.

"Kaya ngayong darating na SONA, iparinig natin sa Malacañang at sa buong gobyerno. The youth wants their future back," she added.

Following the program, participants marched from UP Diliman to ADMU along Katipunan Avenue, carrying banners and placards before forming a human light chain in front of the campus as part of the pre-SONA mobilization.