National anti-pork initiative kicks off in Cebu today
A COALITION of 80 organizations is moving ahead with a plan to gather 5.4 million signatures to pass legislation via a people’s initiative to scrap the pork barrel system.
The Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System is launching a signature campaign today on the anniversary of the Cry of Balintawak when members of the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio rose up in arms and tore their community tax certificates to start their revolt against Spain in 1896.
The Cebu kick-off will precede the bigger mobilization on Monday at the Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila which was organized to coincide with the first anniversary of the Million People March.
At 8 a.m., the group will spearhead the National People’s Congress to discuss the proposed Pork Barrel Abolition Act at the Cebu Mariner’s Court near Pier 1 in downtown Cebu City.
When the congress ends at 3 p.m., the signature campaign for the passage of the proposed legislation would immediately follow at the nearby Cebu Plaza Independencia.
“We believe that to finally abolish the legislative and executive pork barrel, and as a step in reforming our political system, the people must exercise one of the most important powers granted to it under the 1987 Philippine Constitution —the People’s Initiative option,” said the coalition, composed of 80 organizations representing religious, academic, business and civil society groups.
“The evils of corruption have entrenched virtually all levels of government and have deeply wounded our people, especially the poor,” read the group’s statement, which was signed by, among others, Carol Araullo of the Abolish Pork Movement and Mark Canton of the Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System.
Under Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act of 1989, private citizens can push for the passage or amendment of a law by having a petition signed by at least 10 percent of all registered voters and at least three percent of all voters in each of the 234 legislative districts.
A referendum must be held within 45 to 90 days once the petition has been filed with the Commission on Elections.
The election body would first have to validate the signatures gathered by the coalition to make sure that those who affixed their signatures are registered voters. If the number is achieved, the People’s Initiative will become a law which could not be vetoed or disapproved by the president.
“It is time that we, the people, craft and sign into law a more comprehensive legal solution to abolish the pork barrel system. Let us unite as one people. Only by being united can we succeed. Let us reform our political system, starting with the abolition of the pork barrel,” the coalition said.
Pastoral letter
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has issued a pastoral letter, urging the Cebu clergy, members of the religious, seminarians, and lay persons to support the People’s Initiative.
“This is a historic project. It is my hope for the entire Archdiocese of Cebu to unite and support this advocacy, which is also my own advocacy. I enjoin all parishioners and people from all walks of life—students, professionals, businessmen, laborers, farmers, fishermen, and poor members of the society—to join the signature campaign this Saturday,” the prelate said.
The Cebu Archdiocesan Discernment Group has taken the lead in unifying the Cebu coalition against the pork barrel system.
Palma encouraged local Church officials and concerned individuals to help house and transport over 800 delegates to the National People’s Congress.
“All minds, hearts, and hands in the whole country are now starting to collaborate as one people to attain political transformation, starting with the pork barrel abolition. Start thinking, feeling, discussing, and praying for a successful People’s Initiative,” he said.
Under the proposed Pork Barrel Abolition Act, all proposed budgets submitted to any legislative body shall contain only itemized or line-item appropriations, except for the purpose of relief and rescue operations during calamities, and for the intelligence funds.
Releases from lump sum funds allowed under the act shall be supported with schedules indicating the specific government agency that received them and their specific purposes.
The proposed legislation also calls for the abolition of the Presidential Social Fund. It also penalizes any public officer who authorizes spending public money which is not covered by or is in violation of any appropriation ordinance or law.
Violators would face one to 10 years’ imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office.
The mass action in Manila will be led by groups that include #abolishpork, Scrap Pork Network, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, Concerned Citizens Movement, Youth ACT Now!, Babae Laban sa Katiwalian, Church People’s Alliance Against Pork Barrel, Nationalist Movement and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
Other participating groups are the Integrated Bar of the Philippines who will be gathering in front of the Supreme Court, the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
Expected to attend the rally are progressive, religious, and personalities including beauty queens Maria Isabel Lopez, Joyce Burton Titular, musician Monet Silvestre, and actor Bernardo Bernardo.
“The August 25 event marks a major advance in our fight against pork and for accountability in the PDAF and DAP scams. We have a main protest program and we have a sign up drive reaching out to all cities, municipalities and congressional districts here in Manila. Our people are demanding an end to a corrupt pork system, and accountability of our national leaders, especially the President,” musician Monet Silvestre said.
For Bayan, the protest will serve as an occasion to denounce Charter change and the extension of President Benigno Aquino III’s term and his attacks against the judiciary on the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (Dap).
“The issue of Charter change and term extension is linked to the pork barrel issue. Aquino wants to escape accountability. He wants to pressure the SC to change its decision on DAP. He wants to control Congress through the perpetuation of the pork barrel system. Ironic that the lessons of the Marcos dictatorship seem all but lost on Aquino,” said Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr..
“We call on the people nationwide to mobilize on August 25 and beyond. Bring your pens and placards and let the voice of the “bosses” be heard,” Reyes added.
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