by: ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA, MARIA MONICA B. PADILLO, and KRYSTEL NICOLE A. SEVILLA
In line with the celebration of the first anniversary of Million People March, protestors flocked at the Luneta Park in Manila, yesterday, to express their opposition to pork barrel.
According to the Philippine National Police, the attendees of the ‘anti-pork’ rally, formally known as the “Stand Up, Sign Up Against All Pork,” dampened to 5,000 from last year’s 85,000.
However, protesters insisted that it did not dull the advocacy of Filipinos to scrap all kinds of barrel that became an alarming issue in the country for the past year.
In line with the celebration of the first anniversary of Million People March, protestors flocked at the Luneta Park in Manila, yesterday, to express their opposition to pork barrel.
According to the Philippine National Police, the attendees of the ‘anti-pork’ rally, formally known as the “Stand Up, Sign Up Against All Pork,” dampened to 5,000 from last year’s 85,000.
However, protesters insisted that it did not dull the advocacy of Filipinos to scrap all kinds of barrel that became an alarming issue in the country for the past year.
Moreover, Junep Ocampo, organizer of EDSA Tayo, another anti-pork rally which was held last year, this kind of gathering is a wide medium of enlightening the Filipinos, noting that it awakened the minds of normal Filipinos, even the youth.
“Last year, we thought that nothing will happen. But there did. Some were already arrested, while DAP was already declared unconstitutional,” Ocampo said. “We can see the difference. Before, normal Filipinos had no idea about what we were fighting there, but they do now. Even the youth has already realized that they have the voice.”
Different organizations in unison
Teddy Casiño, former member of Bayan Muna Partylist, recalls that he has seen firsthand how the government abuses the pork barrel system which he thinks must stop.
“I went here to sign the petition to abolish the pork barrel system and to come together with the Filipinos to fight against it,” Casiño told the Colosseo. “I am affected by the pork barrel scam because my money is part of it. I rightfully pay my taxes and I do not want my money to be used for corruption,” Casiño said.
Fe Ramirez of Gabriela said women are affected by the pork barrel system because of the increase of prices in the market. It will be hard to pay for their children’s tuition, food, and transportation fees.
“We wish to see the change that we are looking for. That is why the cooperation of the Filipino community is important because Gabriela and other organizations are not the only ones affected by this but also every individual in the Philippines,” Ramirez said.
Sr. Cecilia Espenilla, O.P. from Siena College Quezon City said that they are not personally affected by the pork barrel scam. “But when it comes to a lot of people having a hard time, it is not something that can be tolerated because everyone has to always think of the common good.”
Students from different universities also joined the protest. Among these students is the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila-Youth Act Now.
“Because the pork barrel system is a direct attack to education, we can see that there’s a big implication not only to students but to different sectors of the society,” said Charlotte Velasco, leader of the UP Manila-Youth Act Now.
Among those who joined the rally were the #abolishpork movement, the Scrap Pork Network, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the judiciary employees, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), the groups under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), LGBT groups, artists, former beauty queens, students from various schools including UST, bishops and civil groups.
Last August 23, anti-pork groups converged in Cebu City during the People’s Congress approving the draft bill. It was also there where the signature campaign was initially launched.
“Last year, we thought that nothing will happen. But there did. Some were already arrested, while DAP was already declared unconstitutional,” Ocampo said. “We can see the difference. Before, normal Filipinos had no idea about what we were fighting there, but they do now. Even the youth has already realized that they have the voice.”
Different organizations in unison
Teddy Casiño, former member of Bayan Muna Partylist, recalls that he has seen firsthand how the government abuses the pork barrel system which he thinks must stop.
“I went here to sign the petition to abolish the pork barrel system and to come together with the Filipinos to fight against it,” Casiño told the Colosseo. “I am affected by the pork barrel scam because my money is part of it. I rightfully pay my taxes and I do not want my money to be used for corruption,” Casiño said.
Fe Ramirez of Gabriela said women are affected by the pork barrel system because of the increase of prices in the market. It will be hard to pay for their children’s tuition, food, and transportation fees.
“We wish to see the change that we are looking for. That is why the cooperation of the Filipino community is important because Gabriela and other organizations are not the only ones affected by this but also every individual in the Philippines,” Ramirez said.
Sr. Cecilia Espenilla, O.P. from Siena College Quezon City said that they are not personally affected by the pork barrel scam. “But when it comes to a lot of people having a hard time, it is not something that can be tolerated because everyone has to always think of the common good.”
Students from different universities also joined the protest. Among these students is the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila-Youth Act Now.
“Because the pork barrel system is a direct attack to education, we can see that there’s a big implication not only to students but to different sectors of the society,” said Charlotte Velasco, leader of the UP Manila-Youth Act Now.
Among those who joined the rally were the #abolishpork movement, the Scrap Pork Network, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the judiciary employees, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), the groups under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), LGBT groups, artists, former beauty queens, students from various schools including UST, bishops and civil groups.
Last August 23, anti-pork groups converged in Cebu City during the People’s Congress approving the draft bill. It was also there where the signature campaign was initially launched.