(On the Occasion of the 2024 State of the Nation Address)
“…to deny people their rights before the Most High, to deprive them of justice— would not the Lord see such things?” (Lamentations 3: 35-36 NIV)
Judging by the preparation for this year’s SONA, it appears that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attempt to impress the nation with his administration’s accomplishments during his two-and-a-half years in office. However, with a scandalous budget of P20 million for a one-day event often marked by extravagant displays and questionable claims, this expenditure is particularly disgraceful in light of the widespread hunger and poverty that our people face daily. The promises of “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) are starkly contrasted by the harsh realities on the ground, including the failure to stop incessant price increases of basic goods.
The worsening crisis is acutely felt by our workers. In the National Capital Region alone, the newly approved P645.00 wage barely covers a family of five to live decently. With rising poverty, there are 3.5 million more poor since President Marcos Jr. took office, resulting to a total of 16 million poor Filipinos wallowing in poverty.
Meanwhile, impunity persists. The Third UP World Studies Center’s Dahas Project has recorded nearly 700 individuals killed under the Marcos administration’s anti-drug campaign and relevant harm reduction reforms and policies remain ignored.
Unpeace remains as there have been no developments since the November 23, 2023 Joint Statement of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the armed conflict continues to rage. State security forces continue to be implicated in violations of human right and international humanitarian law (IHL) including enforced disappearances, illegal arrests and detention, red-tagging, threats, harassment, intimidation and killings of peasants, indigenous peoples, workers, and environmental defenders continue with impunity. Indiscriminate bombing and firing, especially in the countryside, occur away from the scrutiny of mass media. Government has refused calls to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) including from two UN Special Rapporteurs.
Amid these issues, the administration of Pres. Marcos, Jr. has sided with the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy, to counter and contain China’s rapidly-growing influence in the region. This resulted in greater US troops presence and military weapons to ostensibly counter the encroachment of China into our seas. Instead of espousing an independent foreign policy and upholding UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), the government is undermining our sovereignty and directly putting the country in harm’s way amid the rivalry for hegemony and dominance between superpowers in the region.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines, is alarmed by this sad state of our nation. There is widespread poverty, hunger, impunity, and unpeace and our sovereignty undermined. Our dire situation calls for us to speak truth to power, to seek peace and uphold God’s gift of human dignity, human rights and the sovereignty of our people. We thus call on our leaders, especially the President, to truly address the true state of the nation.
The NCCP also calls upon its member churches to remain critical and discerning in seeking the truth and working for the defense of life and freedom. Let us continue to be guided by our faith in God and continue to pray and work for our people especially the most vulnerable and in need.
Signed:
22 July 2024
The Most Rev. Brent Harry W. Alawas
Acting Chairperson
Ms. Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses
Vice-Chairperson
Pastor Jon Dave A. Angeles
Vice Chairperson
Rev. Leonardo R. Morada
Treasurer
Ms. Minnie Anne M. Calub
General Secretary