Migrante Alberta’s Statement on Marcos Jr. 2025 State of the Nation Address

As President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivered his State of the Nation Address, we, Filipino migrants under Migrante Alberta, did not expect truth, nor change—we braced for more lies wrapped in polished speeches.

Three years into his administration, the Marcos regime has done nothing but deepen the crisis that continues to force millions of Filipinos to leave the country in search of decent work, dignity, and survival. While Marcos boasted of so-called “stability,” we migrants are living proof of the instability, poverty, and injustice that push Filipinos out of their homeland.

Overseas Filipino workers, especially here in Canada, continue to suffer under a broken system. We are burdened by mandatory fees from PhilHealth, SSS, and Pag-IBIG, despite already contributing to similar programs abroad. Many of us work in exploitative conditions under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker and Caregiver programs, yet we are denied equal rights, permanent status, and fair treatment. Back home, our families face inadequate healthcare, worsening inflation, and skyrocketing costs of living.

We are outraged by the government’s failure to act during emergencies—such as the slow and inefficient repatriation of OFWs trapped in war-torn countries. We are angered by the lack of real reintegration programs, by the broken overseas voting system that disenfranchised thousands of us, and by the meager P50 minimum wage increase that insults the working class.

Instead of addressing these urgent issues, Marcos espoused anti-people policies, militarization, red-tagging, and impunity. He defended the NTF-ELCAC and the Anti-Terrorism Act while criminalizing dissent, silencing critics, and enabling corruption—most evident in the calls to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for gross misconduct and misuse of public funds.

BBM’s 2025 SONA failed to address the fundamental issues and concerns of the Filipino people. He lacked the vision for a systemic transformation that can lead to genuine industrialization, domestic manufacturing and full and decent employment. Instead, he highlighted band-aid solutions to problems and ignored the state obligation that ensures equitable and accessible social services such as healthcare, education and nutrition.

The true state of the nation is one of exploitation, repression, and betrayal. And yet, the Filipino people—at home and abroad—continue to rise, organize, and fight back. We, as Migrante Alberta, stand with our fellow Filipino Migrants and the struggling masses in calling for justice, genuine change, and national freedom.

We demand:

• An end to forced migration and labor export policy

• Livable wages and jobs at home

• Protection and full rights for OFWs in host countries

• Real reintegration and support for returning migrants

• A government that serves the people—not foreign interests, cronies, and oligarchs

No flowery words can cover up the truth. The Filipino people deserve better and a better Philippines.

Makibaka, Huwag Matakot! Marcos, Singilin! Duterte, Panagutin!