Even with the Supreme Court ruling that the congressional pork barrel is unconstitutional, legislators still have access to discretionary lump sum funds.
To totally get rid of the pork barrel system, several groups are banding together to start a People’s Initiative to pass the Pork Barrel Abolition Act.
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said that even if the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was abolished, the pork barrel budget has been diverted to other forms of allocations which members of Congress can still access.
“The word PDAF is gone. But the pork barrel system is still there. Before, we’re served with a whole lechon (roasted pig). Now, the pork is being served by kilo,” said Zarate who was guest speaker in a forum at the Archbishop’s residence in Cebu. The gathering of the Coalition Against Pork Barrel included supporters in Cebu and Manila.
He said it’s time for Filipinos to unite to eliminate not just the congressional pork barrel but also that of the president which is known as the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
People’s Initiative
Zarate is optimistic that the People’s Initiative will pave the way for change in a country saddled by graft and corruption.
“The country actually has a lot of money. But the pork barrel system has drained funds and resources. Janet Napoles is just the tip of the iceberg.
Cebu lawyer Rex Fernandez, one of the drafters of the proposed legislation, said a People’s Initiative would be a first in the country.
“Once the people approve this legislation, then it becomes a law,” he said. A people’s initiative is a constitutional remedy that allows citizens to initiate laws through a petition backed by signatures of at least 10 percent of registered voters.
Palma said the Cebu Archdiocese supports any move to get rid of the pork barrel system which government officials abused.
“The hopes and dreams of the people in this world is also the concern of the Church. We feel the ill-effects of this scam. Its about time to think of ways on how to make good use of our taxes. I believe something good will happen out of this People’s Initiative,” the prelate 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 fund.
Releases from lump sum funds allowed under the act shall be supported with schedules indicating the specific government agency that received them and the specific purposes for the same.
The proposed legislation also calls for the abolition of the Presidential Social Fund. It would also penalize any public officer who authorizes spending public money which is not covered by or is in violation of any appropriation ordinance law.
Violators would face one to 10 years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office.