Dinagat caretaker pushes ‘pork’ abolition

MANILA, Philippines - Akbayan Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, caretaker of the lone congressional district of Dinagat Islands, sought yesterday the abolition of the province’s P25-billion pork barrel funds.

Bag-ao made the call after Malacañang’s release of P134.7 million last month upon her representation generated controversy.

In a statement, she said, “I come from a political tradition where pork barrel is seen not as a tool for patronage. If I would have my way, the pork barrel should be abolished. But Dinagat has been deprived of development projects and has been severely neglected.”

Bag-ao took over from fugitive former Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., who had been convicted of killing his wife and of graft over fund irregularities when he was town mayor.

“Those who think that a few months of serving as caretaker representative would tilt the balance in my favor are obviously unfamiliar with how powerful the Ecleos are…This is not giving me undue advantage – actually, this is like being given a stick to slay a dragon,” said Bag-ao, who is running for congressman in the May elections.

She said it would be on her own merit and “people power,” and not her ties to the administration or the funds she has caused to be released to Ecleo’s turf if she wins the elections.

The P137.4 million in 2012 releases included Ecleo’s P70-million full-year allocation for 2011, which the Palace did not disburse that year.