Mendiola, other roads around Malacañang secured for SONA 2026

The roads around Malacañang, including Mendiola Street, were strictly secured by authorities ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

As early as Sunday night, the roads around the Palace were already closed, according to a report by Gabriel Gonzales on Unang Balita.

At 4 a.m. Monday, 1,500 policemen from Calabarzon were deployed on Recto Avenue to secure Mendiola Street which leads directly to Malacañang.

Mendiola Street itself has been barricaded by barbed wires, concrete barriers, and two container vans to prevent rallyists from coming near the Palace.

The following roads were closed to motorists since Sunday:

• Recto Avenue from Loyola Street to Mendiola Peace Arch
• Legarda Street from Figueras Street to San Rafael Street
• Ayala Bridge -- both sides were barricaded with barbed wires and container vans
• Ayala Blvd. eastbound from San Marcelino Street to Romualdez Street
• Magallanes Drive at Liwasang Bonifacio from Jones Bridge to MacArthur Bridge
• MacArthur Bridge southbound from Plaza Lacson to Liwasang Bonifacio
• Quezon Boulevard southbound from A. Mendoza Street to Quezon Bridge
• Lerma Street southbound from Espana Blvd.-P. Campa Street to A. Mendoza Street

Authorities urged motorists to use alternate routes

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District could not confirm yet which groups are expected to troop to Mendiola to conduct rallies on Monday. —KG, GMA News