23/07/2026
Ahead of Marcos SONA: Filipino groups slam Rubio visit, highlight migrant concerns
“Rubio comes to Manila promising ‘endless jobs’ under the US-led Pax Silica initiative, and Marcos is its eager salesman. But for millions of Filipino migrants, these are just empty words – much like what we expect from Marcos’ fifth SONA,” said Andan Bonifacio, BAYAN International Officer during an online press conference last July 22.
Bonifacio criticized Marcos’ promotion of Pax Silica as nothing more than a “repackaging” of the same failed economic model that has kept the Philippines dependent on foreign direct investments while forcing millions of Filipinos to leave the country for work.
“No amount of AI overhype can hide the fact that Marcos has failed to build an economy that provides decent jobs and living wages for Filipinos,” added Bonifacio.
"We are speaking out because these investments will only mean plunder of our land and natural resources. Many Filipinos already struggle with high power costs and inadequate public services, our resources should first serve the needs of our people,” according to Apol Apuntar of Canada’s TAMA NA! anti-corruption coalition.
Apuntar also shared about the recent visit of Marcos to Canada to attract foreign investments for mining, clean energy and digital infrastructure and how his visit was greeted by strong protest actions by Filipinos in Canada.
Filipino migrants in Europe are also demanding an end to systematic government corruption. According to BAYAN Europe spokesperson Lean Jimenez, “Ang tunay na pagbabago ay nangangailangan ng pagwawakas sa sistemang nagpapahintulot sa korapsyon, political dynasties, at kultura ng impunity. Hangga't nananatili ang sistemang ito, patuloy na uusbong ang mga opisyal tulad ni Marcos Jr. at Sarah Duterte na inuuna ang sariling interes kaysa kapakanan ng bayan.”
“Corruption and neglect have left many Filipinos abroad excluded from basic support services. Migrants are treated as crucial economic resources, but abandoned when they need protection,” quipped Bonifacio.
Laura, an OFW based in the UAE echoed the criticism: “Inutil ang gobyerno sa pagprotekta sa OFW na apektado ng giyera. Hindi malinaw ang ayuda, limitado ang suporta, at hindi ka pa bibigyan ng tulong kung hindi ka member ng OWWA. Kahit walang giyera, malubha pa rin ang kalagayan ng mga OFWs dahil laganap ang mga kaso ng contract substitutions, mababang sahod, diskriminasyon at iba pang paglabang sa aming mga karapatan.”
“The US war against Iran has also led to increasing cost of living in host countries and in the Philippines, worsening the economic hardships migrant workers are already facing,” added Roger Raymundo of BAYAN Asia-Pacific.
“Anumang pagtaas sa presyo ng produkto ng petrolyo ay may agad-agad na pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin, kung kaya ang mga OFW ay napipilitang magtrabaho ng doble, kumayod ng doble para tustusan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya," said Raymundo.
According to BAYAN USA’s June Colcol, Filipinos bear the burden of conflicts and policies that prioritize US strategic interests over the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“More and more Filipinos in the US are seeing that US militarism does not bring security or prosperity to our people. They contribute to rising costs, displacement and greater hardship for Filipino communities both here and in the Philippines,” said Culcul.
“The real state of the nation is reflected in the struggles of millions of Filipinos struggling to earn a living abroad, communities that suffer because of corruption, and the people fighting for their land, livelihood and rights in the Philippines. Overseas Filipinos stand united with the call to reject the puppet, fascist, corrupt and anti-people US-Marcos regime,” Bonifacio concluded.
Bonifacio announced a series of coordinated protest actions across multiple cities worldwide as a demonstration of unity with the Filipino People’s SONA on July 27. # # #
