Militant groups preparing for Sept. 13 protest vs ‘pork’ scam

MANILA, Philippines - Militant, cause-oriented and religious organizations are preparing for a mass action against the pork barrel scam on Sept. 13 in Rizal Park.

Led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), the groups are calling on Filipinos to participate in actions and initiatives that will push for the abolition of the pork barrel and direct allocation of taxpayers’ money to public hospitals, schools, housing and other social service programs.

“We ordinary citizens and taxpayers are outraged by the shameless plunder and misuse of public funds as so far revealed in the P10-billion Napoles pork barrel scam and COA audits on the congressional pork barrel funds,” the group said in a statement.

Bayan denounced what it described as the way the pork barrel system violated the principle of checks and balances between the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

“We likewise decry how legitimate NGOs have been wrongfully tainted by this wholesale corruption,” it said.

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said their action was inspired by the overwhelming support in the “Million People March” last Aug. 26 in Rizal Park.

Some of the groups were critized for being among the regular recipients of the pork barrel.

Reyes said they would continue to pressure the government to abolish the pork barrel system and prosecute all those involved in the scam.