Singer and stage actress Monique Wilson joined the gathering for the People’s Initiative against pork barrel at the Plaza Independencia. (CDN PHOTO/ CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
With one stroke of the pen or just a thumb mark, Filipinos could change their fate.
Political satirist Mae Paner, also known as “Juana Change,” said this is how Filipinos can take part in changing the destiny of the nation.
She said she had believed in, and supported President Aquino in the past, but woke up to reality.
Paner was one of several national figures who flew to Cebu yesterday for the launch of a 5-million signature campaign for a people’s initiative law that would scrap all pork barrels and punish violators with one to ten years imprisonment.
“Hindi pala ako pwedeng magtiwala lang sa isang presidente na nagsasabi lang na pagbabago. Dahil ang pagbabago pala ay patungo sa daang bangin,” Paner said. (We can’t just believe in a President who promises change but leads us to a cliff.)
Positive change must start with the Filipino people, she said.
“All you need is a pen and sign the petition. Those who do not know how to sign can use his thumb mark,” she said.
“Signing the petition will change our history. Dito natin pag uumpisahan ang pagbabago ng ating bayan,” she added.
Before the signature campaign in the afternoon at Plaza Independencia, the militant groups Sanlakas, Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino (BMP), Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) and its allied peoples organizations marched from Fuente Osmeña Circle to Plaza Independencia in Cebu City.
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