A WOMAN showed up handcuffed to a wheelchair and wearing a “Janet Napoles” mask . She was pushed by another rallyist wearing a President Aquino mask which also drew the crowd’s attention yesterday.
Hundreds gathered at the Fuente Osmeña in Cebu City to call for the scrapping of the pork barrel on Independence Day.
Cebuano songwriter Budoy sang his own composition “Kawatan” (thief). “The people should not be deceived by politicians on TV who sing as if it’s a music video,” he said in Cebuano before he sang.
““Atong bayad nga buwis gisingtan. Atong bayad nga buwis gihaguan, apan gikawat lang sa mga kanahan.
“Senador, congressman, sa election ra mabut-an. Kung panahon sa katungdanan bawion ra ang puhunan,” he sang.
“We need your signatures”.
This was the public appeal of convenors of the Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System in the run-up to the anniversary of the Million People March on Aug. 23 when a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution would be launched.
The Cebu coalition has over 70 organizations from interfaith, academic, business and civil society groups.
Mark Canton, one of the convenors, said they hope to gather enough signatures by August.
“It’s not going to be easy. But it is doable. As Archbishop Jose Palma said, our strength is in our diversity. We are united in our stand,” Canton said.
Fr. Carmelo Diola called on legislators who are facing charges over pork barrel abuse to resign. “Something has to be done immediately. What is important is for truth to come out. We, ordinary people, have to make a stand.
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