
Protesters burn Marcos, Sara effigies at Philcoa ahead of SONA
The two effigies named 'ZOMBBM' and 'SARANANGGAL' depicted Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte as monsters, according to GMA Integrated News' James Agustin.
In a statement, Bayan said the protest showed 'people's outrage against disastrous US-Marcos regime and corrupt political system.'
The group cited the ongoing flooding crisis, Supreme Court's decision derailing the impeachment trial of Duterte, the 'blocking' of wage hike bill, ties with the United States, among others.
'The SONA protest in Metro Manila dubbed 'SONA ng Paniningil' is our people's legitimate and democratic response to the exploitation and oppression perpetuated by the US-Marcos Jr regime,' Bayan said.
'In particular, it will provide the opening salvo to a continuing series of mass protests demanding accountability (#MarcosSingilin) while pushing for the ouster of Sara Duterte and the conviction of Rodrigo Duterte in the ICC (#DutertePanagutin),' it added.
The Philippine National Police said on Monday that it will provide maximum tolerance for the protesters. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


GMA Network
14 minutes ago
- GMA Network
Escudero to file bill banning officials' relatives from serving as contractors, suppliers
Senate President Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero said Tuesday that he would introduce a bill that would ban government officials' relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from serving as suppliers and contractors. ''Bilang katugunan sa panawagan ng Pangulo kaugnay sa corruption, conflict of interest, at hindi tamang paggamit ng pondo, maghahain kami ng panukalang batas na ang layunin ay ipagbawal up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity ang sinumang mambabatas o opisyal ng pamahalaan, nasyunal man o lokal, na maging contractor o supplier sa pamahalaan,'' Escudero said at a press conference. (In response to the call of the President in connection with corruption, conflict of interest, and mishandling of funds, I will file a bill that will ban relatives of public officials up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from being contractors and suppliers for the government.) ''Para sa akin, klarong conflict of interest 'yun at hindi dapat pinapahintulutan 'yun,'' Escudero added. (For me, that's a clear conflict of interest, and it should not be allowed.) The Senate leader said he wants this measure to be included in the priority bills, a topic that will be tackled during the senators' caucus later in the day. On Monday, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said during his fourth State of the Nation Address that government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, should be ashamed. The President tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways with submitting a list of flood control projects in the last three years. Marcos also vowed that those at fault would be charged and held liable for their actions. —VBL, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
44 minutes ago
- GMA Network
DepEd launches 10-year plan to overhaul PH basic education
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday formally launched the Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP) 2025–2035 — a 10-year roadmap that aims to overhaul the Philippine education system. The DepEd said this would be done by investing in three engines of reform: decentralization, stronger public-private partnerships, and digitalization, all in the name of improving learning outcomes and future opportunities for Filipino learners. Speaking at the launch, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the comprehensive blueprint was shaped not just by policy experts, but by the lived experiences of teachers, learners, and education leaders on the ground. 'Ito ay isang pang-bansang blueprint, isang pang-matagalang plano,' Angara said. (This is a national blueprint, a long-term plan.) Angara acknowledged the challenges that have long plagued the education sector — outdated curricula, teacher overload, poor infrastructure, and subpar learning outcomes, among others. 'Ang mismong train system natin ang kailangang ayusin,' he stressed. (It's the very train system itself that we need to fix.) He then said that the plan identifies five main reform pillars — teachers, learners, governance, learning quality, and employability — with strategic initiatives for each, all underpinned by decentralization and accountability. Decentralization as a driving force At the heart of the QBEDP is the principle of decentralization. Angara stressed that control and decision-making must move from central offices in Manila to local school leaders who better understand community needs. This means empowering school heads, local DepEd divisions, and even teachers to make real-time decisions supported by accessible data. The agency's Project BUKAS (Building Up Knowledge and Accountability Systems) will release 22 key datasets to the public, including performance metrics for schools, enabling greater transparency. Public-private partnerships to build classrooms The QBEDP also leans heavily on public-private partnerships (PPP), which Angara called a 'game-changer,' especially as the government aims to build 40,000 new classrooms, provide laptops for all teachers, and improve internet connectivity nationwide. READ: SONA 2025: Marcos vows 40K new classrooms before end of his term READ: SONA 2025: Marcos vows internet for all public schools by end of 2025 READ: SONA 2025: Marcos admits 'reality' of PH education woes, vows reforms 'Kaya sabi niya (Pangulong Marcos), lahat ng guro natin magkakaroon ng laptop, makakatayo tayo ng 40,000 classrooms kasi mas malaki ang budget na ibibigay kapag sama-sama ang gobyerno, kasama ang pribadong sektor, kasama ang development partners,' he said. (That's why he said all our teachers will get laptops, and we can build 40,000 classrooms, because a bigger budget becomes possible when government, the private sector, and development partners work together.) Unlike previous piecemeal approaches, Angara emphasized that today's partnerships are 'mission-driven' and strategically aligned to improve education access and quality. Boosting learning outcomes and workforce readiness On learning quality, Angara noted that while the Philippines still struggles in international assessments like Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and National Achievement Test (NAT), the roadmap offers clear pathways for improvement. 'For the first time, klaro na po ang direksyon,' he noted. (For the first time, the direction is clear.) DepEd is rolling out a strengthened K-10 curriculum and piloting a revised senior high school (SHS) curriculum in 900 schools. The ARAL remediation program — first proven effective in Marikina City — will also be expanded nationally, helping more than 90,000 struggling learners catch up. For future readiness, over 170,000 SHS learners have already received TESDA NC II certifications for free, which was made possible under the embedded TVET qualifications—removing the previous P1,500 cost barrier. Through new Civil Service Commission rules, SHS and even junior high school graduates are now eligible to apply for first-level government jobs. Digitalization to drive inclusion The third major pillar is digitalization. Angara said DepEd is investing in data systems not just for modernity, but for fairness and inclusivity. The goal, he added, is to ensure every public school is connected to the internet and equipped with tools to respond in real-time to learners' needs. Angara concluded by reaffirming that the QBEDP is not a top-down mandate but a collective promise between DepEd, teachers, parents, and learners. 'Ngayong araw, hawak na po natin ang mapa. May isang direksyon na ang ating biyahe,' he said. (Today, we hold the map. Our journey now has a single direction.) Angara also called on all stakeholders to help lay the tracks forward, assuring teachers and learners that 'this time, the train will not pass them by.' Meanwhile, with the results of the 2026 PISA just around the corner, Angara said the administration is laying the groundwork for long-term improvements: 'Ang kumpiyansa ko ay maumpisahan natin ang proseso ng pagpapaganda ng ating sistema at ang pagpapaganda ng mga resulta sa mga large-scale assessments,' he said. (I'm confident we can begin the process of improving our system and improving results in large-scale assessments.) —KG, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
44 minutes ago
- GMA Network
VP Sara 'ready' if another impeachment complaint will be filed in 2026 —spox
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte remains ready should there be a new impeachment complaint filed against her in 2026, her defense team spokesperson said. 'Tignan natin ang mga developments, at kung dumating man ang pagkakataon na there will be another impeachment, sabi nga nila, subject to the one-year bar, we will be ready to face those allegations,' said Atty. Michael Poa in an Unang Balita interview on Tuesday. (Let's look at the developments, and if there will be another impeachment, as they say, subject to the one-year bar, we will be ready to face those allegations.) Voting 13-0, the Supreme Court (SC) earlier declared the articles of impeachment against Duterte as unconstitutional, saying that it was barred by the one-year rule under Article XI Section 3 paragraph 5 of the Constitution. The high court also found that the articles violated Duterte's right to due process. The SC decision is immediately executory but a motion for reconsideration may be filed. The high court, meanwhile, emphasized that it is not absolving Duterte from any of the charges against her, but any subsequent impeachment complaint may only be filed starting February 6, 2026. To recall, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Vice President was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. Duterte, in return, had entered a 'not guilty' plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her, which she called merely a 'scrap of paper.' Political pressure? Poa also answered allegations that the SC justices voted in favor of the Vice President as most of them were appointed by Sara's father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. 'Sana po ay respetuhin natin at igalang natin ang desisyon dahil medyo insulto naman siguro sa ating mga justices kung sabihin natin na nag-decide sila, one way or the other, for some political pressure,' he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. (I hope we respect their decision because it might be a bit insulting to our justices if we say that they decided, one way or the other, because of some political pressure.) The House of Representatives has said it is preparing to file a motion for reconsideration of the Supreme Court's decision to void the impeachment of Duterte, arguing that the ruling was based on what it described as incorrect findings that contradict official records. At the Senate, impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol said it is set to vote whether to proceed with the deliberations after receiving the high court's ruling on the articles of impeachment filed against Duterte. —VAL, GMA Integrated News