Bayan sees bigger SONA protest this year

MANILA, Philippines - Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Friday called on Filipinos to join the protests during the Fifth State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III on Monday.

Bayan said groups comprised of workers, government employees, farmers, health workers, students and church people are expected to march along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City during President Aquino’s 5th SONA.

This year’s protests is expected to be bigger due to the controversial Disbursement Allocation Program (DAP) hounding the administration of President Aquino, who is facing impeachment complaints lodged by the militant group and its allies.

Artist group Ugatlahi has prepared another effigy with the DAP theme, “Noynoy holDAPer,” in reference to the controversial presidential pork barrel which was declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

In a statement, Bayan said the allies of the President in Congress are  in "shameless collusion...in raping the public coffers."

Bayan was reacting to the Senate finance committee hearing on Thursday, where Budget Secretary Butch Abad was grilled by senators on the DAP.

“Our institutions have been compromised by pork. The executive and legislative branches are colluding in covering up the DAP. And on Monday, these die-hard defenders of pork will be gathered under one roof and will again be proclaiming the virtues of pork and patronage politics,"nBayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said.

Reyes said it was appalling how Abad justified the release of additional pork funds to the senators.

He also assailed as a “blatant lie” the so-called benefits of the DAP for poor people.

“How can additional pork barrel be considered beneficial for the people when we all know that pork is a source of corruption and patronage politics? The people are indignant over the way the Senate and the Executive are colluding just so they could free Aquino from any liability in the DAP issue,” Reyes said.

“If you’ve had enough of the endless lies and deception, join the protests on SONA and let the government know your outrage,” he added.