Thousands of concerned Filipino citizens, including activists and church people, gathered at the Philippine Luneta park on Monday (August 25, 2014) in a rally in an attempt to urge the Philippine government to scrap the pork barrel system which they believe to be the main source of corruption in our country. Organisers said almost 20,000 people joined the rally but observers said the crowd was much smaller, with police putting it at about 5,000 at its peak.
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| Mae Paner as the Pork Barrel Queen |
This year's crowd was far smaller compared to the Million People March last year that assembled as much as 250, 000 protesters. The main objective of these rallies were to gather around five to six million signatures nationwide to demand the removal of unnecessary lump funds outside of the yearly budget through the enactment of The People's Initiative Bill.
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| Comic Strip made by Manix Abrera from SignUpVsPork website |
These lump funds were supposed to pay for the pet projects of legislators but large amounts were allegedly stolen. Three powerful senators have already been jailed over the controversy namely Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Jinggoy Estrada.
Cardinal Luis Tagle expressed his delight through social media to the people saying "I extend my greetings and solidarity. Thank you for making democracy alive and active. Thank you for advancing decency in public life,"
Some notable groups in the rally were Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Youth ACT Now, Nationalist Movement, and Church People's Alliance Against Pork Barrel.
Despite the unbearable heat, many people showed up at Rizal Park. Most of them are religious priests, nuns, and brothers. AMRSP co – chairperson Sr. Eden Panganiban,
SSpS and Fr. Leo Dalmao, CMF said that they are committed together with the
members to fight for tuwid na daan. Members of NCCP were also there to show
solidarity against corruption.
To show awareness to anti – pork barrel, Mary John Mananzan
of the group Babae Laban sa Katiwalian, Greco Belgica, the lead petitioner in
the Supreme Court case against the pork barrel and DAP, and Bishop Ted Bacani
also showed up. A former supporter of President Aquino, Mae Paner, was wearing
a mascot of a pig, and even made a skit.
Some celebrities also attended the rally. Maria Isabel Lopez, and daughter Mara gave their opinions about the pork
barrel, and President Aquino’s term extension. Kamikazee presented a performace on the
event. Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines have also participated in the rally.
PARTICIPATION OF NETIZENS
Netizens have contributed in
broadcasting the said event last Monday. Different tweets of different
reactions flew and pictures and videos were widely retweeted and scattered by
the people. And while the number of protesters have dramatically decreased compared
to last year’s, netizens remained in promoting the rally.
“We now see Aquino’s moves
that aim to institutionalize the Disbursement Acceleration Program as well as
recent moves to maintain congressional pork through informal arrangements
between departments and lawmakers. The system is truly rotten. Aquino continues
to protect this system. The battle has not been won. We need to go out again,
to stand up and sign up against pork,” #abolishpork spokesman Monet Silvestre
said in an interview with Inquirer.
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