In the second SONA, the President received over 60 applauses. Even before he could finish his sentence, the loyal allies in the Batasan Hall were already ready with their handclap. Meanwhile, over 3,000 people patiently waited for hours at Commonwealth Avenue. They decried the administration’s silence over past and present human rights violations (which were not mentioned together with the International Criminal Court), the lack of attention to projects that had deprived them of their livelihood, as well as contractualization which had exploited thousands of laborers. The activist groups were also there and they set fire on an effigy of Marcos and another of a coin with the latter’s face.

Braid, F. R. (2023, July 29). Fisherfolk and cooperative in the SONA. Manila Bulletin, p. 8.