‘Anti-pork march only the beginning’

MANILA, Philippines - Today’s “Million People March” only marks the beginning of a series of protests against the congressional pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), a rally organizer told ABS-CBNnews.com yesterday.

Peachy Bretana said all is set for the mass action, organized to protest the questionable use of the PDAF, in Rizal Park today, coinciding with the country’s celebration of National Heroes’ Day.

Bretana said simultaneous “citizen’s democratic exercises” would also be held in various parts of the country and abroad, including Geneva, San Francisco, New York, Hong Kong, Ontario and Vancouver.

“I hope many more will be coming, and the one million will not only be in Luneta,” said Bretana, who urged on social media the conduct of the political exercise after the pork barrel scam was exposed.

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) yesterday said thousands of workers will join today’s rally and the future protests against the pork barrel and other forms of corruption in government.

“We have called upon our regional chapters to join the protest and tens of thousands of workers and the poor will participate nationwide,” KMU media officer Jerome Adonis said.

He said President Aquino’s decision to abolish the PDAF gave the people more reason to be vigilant.

“As far as workers and the poor are concerned, the Aug. 26 protest is critical for the Aquino government. This protest shall condemn corruption, something already endemic to the government, including the Aquino administration,” he said.

The scheduled One Million March has gone viral in social media with thousands responding to join the activity.

Free to join

Malacañang yesterday said the Aquino administration will not discourage the 1.1 million-strong government workforce from joining today’s anti-pork barrel rally.

“They are free to join,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over state-run dzRB.

“There is no problem as far as we are concerned. What we actually encourage is for our netizens to take part in participatory governance and their vigilance in guarding the strict implementation of projects proposed by the lawmakers,” she said.

“All our security measures have already been put in place. They can be assured of a peaceful rally,” Valte said.

NCRPO on heightened alert

Some 500 policemen will be deployed in Rizal Park today.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima instructed National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. to coordinate with rally organizers to ensure a peaceful protest.

At 5 p.m. yesterday, Garbo placed the entire police force in Metro Manila on heightened alert.

Chief Superintendent Christopher Laxa, NCRPO deputy director for operations, said the NCRPO will be placed on full alert starting 8 a.m. today, an hour before the mass action starts.

- With Mayen Jaymalin, Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edith Regalado, Alexis Romero, Raymund Catindig