News Roundup 22 July 2023
Jul 22, 2023 • 4 min Read
Group secures permit for SONA 2023 protest along Commonwealth Avenue, QC gov’t says | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government said it has issued a permit to the progressive group Bayan, authorizing them to hold a protest along Commonwealth Avenue during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24.
Bayan’s application for the People’s SONA protest was approved with a time window from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., covering the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue leading up to Tandang Sora Avenue.
Based on the permit, the the Quezon City government has no objections to the rally, on the condition that all guidelines imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will be followed.
“The city interposes no objection to the aforementioned activity, provided that all guidelines imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force of the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease will be strictly observed and that the normal flow of traffic will not be impeded during the entire activity,” the permit read.
The scheduled protest aims to provide a platform for various groups to voice their concerns against alleged “corruption, cronyism and abuses of the presidency.”
Full Story at: Group secures permit for SONA 2023 protest along Commonwealth Avenue, QC gov’t says | Philstar.com
Groups condemn Cavite PNP for blocking delegates to upcoming 2023 SONA protest | PHILSTAR.COM –MANILA, Philippines — Progressive groups slammed the Philippine National Police after authorities blocked a delegation of protesters ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address due to the “unworthiness” of a 16-foot effigy.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Timog Katagalugan on Friday posted a video of police arguing with activists along the Imus-Dasmariñas border in Cavite. Officials insisted that the effigy they brought is “prohibited” and “non-negotiable.”
“This is not the first time that state forces used their authority to intimidate legitimate forms of protests by the masses. It is a clear denial of the people’s rights to protest granted by the Constitution,” said BAYAN – Timog Katagalugan on Friday.
Among those that were affected were part of the Bigkisan Caravan delegation.
The police can be seen asking for the LTO-issued Official Receipt (OR) Certificate of Registration (CR) of the delegate’s drivers for the protesters to go through. However, they were adamant to stop the progressives from transporting the effigy.
The effigy in question, which is normally set on fire during huge protests, consists of the president and vice president licking the boot of the U.S. military.
Full Story at: Groups condemn Cavite PNP for blocking delegates to upcoming 2023 SONA protest | Philstar.com
PH wants back P2 billion paid for Russian choppers | INQUIRER.NET – The Department of National Defense (DND) is looking at possible legal options to recover the almost P2 billion down payment it made to Russia, following the termination of the more than P12-billion helicopter purchase deal between the two countries.
According to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the issue is still being taken up by the DND’s legal office—more than a year after the transaction to procure MI-17 heavy-lift helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) was closed in November 2021, and the advance payment of P1.9 billion was made in January 2022.
“We’re studying our legal options. We have made the down payment and it is a legal issue. Our legal [office] is studying the best option for them,” he told reporters at a briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.
Full Story at: PH wants back P2 billion paid for Russian choppers | Global News (inquirer.net)
Classes, gov’t work in NCR suspended on Sona day due to Egay, transport strike | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — President Bongbong Marcos has greenlighted the suspension of classes and work in the National Capital Region on Monday, July 24, in light of the 72-hour transport strike coinciding with the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), as well as the inclement weather that tropical storm Egay may bring.
“In view of the forecasted inclement weather brought about by Egay and the scheduled 72-hour transport strike in Metro Manila, work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels in the National Capital Region are hereby suspended on 24 July 2023,” a memorandum circular signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated.
Full Story at: Classes, gov’t work in NCR suspended on Sona day due to Egay, transport strike | Inquirer News
