Anti-‘pork’ protests set Aug. 25

MANILA, Philippines - Groups seeking the abolition of the pork barrel system will march to Rizal Park on Aug. 25, the anniversary of last year’s Million People March, to press their campaign for a people’s initiative to scrap all forms of discretionary spending in government.

The Abolish Pork Movement, among those spearheading this year’s march, said a protest program will be held along Roxas Boulevard with a sign-up drive for the people’s initiative, which has earned the support of at least 73 Catholic bishops.

Other groups joining the protest include the Scrap Pork Network, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, Concerned Citizens Movement, Babae Laban sa Katiwalian, Youth ACT Now, Whistleblowers Association, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Artista Kontra Korapsyon.

The rally will coincide with National Heroes’ Day.

Monet Silvestre, spokesperson for the Abolish Pork Movement, said the fight against the pork barrel system is not yet over.

Palace: It’s a free country

Malacañang yesterday continued to play coy on the alleged presence of about P20.7 billion in pork barrel funds in the 2014 national budget, saying critics can hold rallies as often as they want.

 “It’s a free country,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in response to the planned rallies on Aug. 25.

“We don’t want to speculate on whether they can gather the five million signatures,” he added.

Las Piñas returns P47.8-M ‘pork’

Meanwhile, Las Pinas Mayor Vergel Aguilar said yesterday the city government has complied with the Commission on Audit directive to return unused Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF).

Aguilar said the local government returned the P47.8 million unused allocations from the PDAF of former senator Manuel Villar and Sen. Cynthia Villar on March 6.  – Rhodina Villanueva, Delon Porcalla, Perseus Echeminada