Ahead of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address on the last Monday of July, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), through its official publication Ang Bayan, issued the following statement:
The CPP expects Marcos to deliver a litany of lies in his upcoming SONA, but he cannot conceal the endless suffering of Filipinos under his rule.
The CPP condemned the rising prices of rice and oil, low wages, widespread unemployment, and massive layoffs, forcing thousands of Filipino workers to seek servitude abroad.
“The people continued to be burdened with high rice prices, which Marcos cannot cover up with his superficial gimmicks,” Ang Bayan stressed. Despite public clamor, Malacañang “rejected a ₱200 daily wage hike for workers, and imposed additional taxes on the people instead.”
Ang Bayan further criticized Marcos for “implementing policies that enrich foreign capitalists, their local bourgeois comprador allies, landlords, and bureaucrat capitalists.” It also denounced Marcos’ rampant borrowing, which funds flashy infrastructure projects that only benefit him and his corrupt officials through kickbacks.
The CPP also slammed the militarization and suppression of dissenters: “Marcos is providing military and police protection to silence those defending their land and livelihood.”
The CPP said that Marcos is using the NTF-ELCAC and the Anti-Terrorism Law against workers, youth, and other democratic sectors. It condemned the regie and the AFP for its extrajudicial killings, intimidation, illegal searches, arrests, forced surrenders, indiscriminate shootings, shelling, and bombings near communities.
Ang Bayan highlighted Marcos and the AFP’s “collusion with U.S. military forces,” escalating tensions in the South China Sea instead of pursuing peaceful dialogue to resolve maritime disputes.
The CPP called on Filipinos to intensify the mass movement and armed struggle against the oppressive US-Marcos regime.
“Through relentless resistance, Marcos will be held accountable and face the judgment of the Filipino people.”
