Local coalition vs. pork barrel merges with Manila groups

CEBU, Philippines - The local people’s initiative against the pork barrel launched in Cebu October last year has merged with Manila-based groups with the same cause for intensified and unified efforts to prevent the resurrection of the lump sum government fund, which the Supreme Court recently declared as unconstitutional.

Lawyer Rex Fernandez of the Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System said they have decided to join six other groups in Manila that share their ideals on ensuring the permanent junking of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in both executive and legislative branches of government.

“The group has decided to reach out to six groups in Manila. There is already unity in principle to push for a common anti pork initiative. There’s the Anti Pork Barrel Movement, Church People Against Pork Barrel, Movement Against Political Dynasty, the group Manny Santos, Bayan Muna, and another one,” he said.

Fernandez said that like their group, these Manila groups have their respective draft legislation.

“Each one has draft, and we are currently trying to unite these drafts. Then we will come up with a statement. Our target (to have a common statement) is by end of January,” he said.

A national assembly, which would approve the unified draft legislative proposal, is scheduled in  February.

Also, Fernandez said some of the Manila-based groups have chapters all over the country they could likewise muster representation for Mindanao.

He said their group is still needed even after the Supreme Court ruled the pork barrel as unconstitutional because there are loopholes in the remaining discretionary lump sum funds.

In the coalition general assembly last Saturday, member-groups resolved to continue the fight.  (FREEMAN)