Undaunted by the challenge of gathering 5.4 million signatures, anti-pork barrel advocates are moving ahead with a People’s Initiative to scrap the pork barrel system.
A National People’s Congress will take place at the Cebu Mariner’s Court near Pier 1 in downtown Cebu City from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 23.
A signature campaign immediately follows at the nearby Cebu Plaza Independencia.
The campaign received support from Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who issued a pastoral letter to the clergy to support the initiative.
Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano said he hopes the signatures will be gathered before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) start next year’s preparations for the 2016 elections.
Abolition
The Aug. 23 date falls on the anniversary of the Cry of Balintawak in which the Katipunan secret society led by Andres Bonifacio tore their community tax certificates to launch their revolt against Spain.
The Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System, which counts 80 organizations from interfaith, academic, business and civil society groups, was chosen to lead the nationwide campaign to pass into law the proposed “Pork Barrel Abolition Act.”
Though the Supreme Court declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as unconstitutional, the coalition believes legislators still have access to discretionary lump sum funds.
“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 signed, among others, by Carol Araullo of the Abolish Pork Movement and Mark Canton of the Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System.
Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act of 1989 states that 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 in each of the 234 legislative districts.
Historic project
A referendum must be held within 45 to 90 days once the petition has been filed with the Comelec.
Palma’s pastoral letter, described the People’s Initiative as 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.
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 relief and rescue operations during calamities, and for the intelligence fund.
The proposed legislation also calls for the abolition of the Presidential Social Fund.
Referendum
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.
Castillano said the signature campaign is only part of a long and tedious process.
He said verifying the required number of signatures is difficult because some records are not with them.
“Some of these records are in the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) and the Senate Electoral Tribunal,” Castillano said.
He said they also don’t have enough funds and personnel to conduct the referendum.
He said the Comelec is prioritizing the ongoing registration for the 2016 elections.
“Also, a law has been passed making biometric structures mandatory. We’re fast-tracking the process for those who haven’t had their biometrics yet. If they don’t get one before elections, these people can’t vote,” he said.
Castillano is hoping the proponents of the People’s Initiative will hasten the process in order not to conflict with the preparations for the 2016 elections.
Related Stories:
Anti-pork convenors push for more signatures
Chopped off PDAF is still ‘pork’ — Bayan Muna solon
Cebu activists to solons: Quit