A SALUTE to all individuals and organizations, from different points of the Philippines and abroad, who joined the national mobilization calling for the abolishment of the Pork Barrel. It was a beginning but also a great leap forward toward ending the corruption in the government.
The state of corruption in the Philippine government has gone from worse to worst and it has deeply penetrated every structure of the government. The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or commonly known as pork barrel, a fund taken from the taxes paid by the Filipino people to support the development initiatives of the legislators, has become instrument for the money making scheme by the law makers amassing the money of the people. The 10 billion pesos pork barrel scam involving Janet Napoles and several law makers from the both houses is a manifestation of how corruption is firmly established in the system.
The 10 billion pesos “Pork Barrel” scam was supposed to benefit many of the poor farmers and farming communities in the country. The high rate of poverty and hunger among the rural sectors is the long term result of such corruption. Hence, according to the data released by National Statistical Coordination Board, in 2009, farmers and fisherfolks are the poorest sectors in the country.
The pronouncement of the PNoy, before the August 26 protest, abolishing the pork barrel was only a reactive solution to appease the outraged people. Abolishing the pork barrel is not the complete solution to the bigger problem, the corruption and the patronage politics that have been perpetuating this cycle of decadent and bankrupt system that continuously puts the people in an endless quagmire of poverty.
In unison with the people, the Kilusang Maralita sa Kanayunan (KILOS KA) joins the call:
• To the President, to absolutely abolish pork barrel system and re-channel the funds instead to social services that would truly benefit the disadvantaged sectors; to create anti-corruption mechanism with people’s representation; and investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.
• To the vigilant citizens, to guard their initial victory against corruption and continue to create waves of movements to finally put an end to the corrupt system.
Lydia Mangcao
Kilusang Maralita sa Kanayunan
Secretary General
kilusangmaralitarural@gmail.com
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