FOR A CORRUPTION-FREE and transparent governance that is responsive to the call of the people for genuine economic, political and social changes in the Philippines.
We are organizations of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong from various interests, ethno-linguistic groups, regions and provinces who stand firmly with the Filipino people in the call to abolish the pork barrel system, to bring to justice the culprits in the large-scale robbery of the people’s money, and to ensure that the people’s money are instead used to finance direct services to the people.
OFWs are products of a weak economic system that does not provide decent livelihood for its people. Such a system is perpetuated by a government that is ruled by greed and self-interest, and beneficial to the few who controls the riches of our country.
We are outraged by the magnitude of corruption happening in the country through the pork barrel system. We are even more outraged that President Aquino, instead of abolishing the said system, is trying to fool us and lull us into complacency by announcing reforms that will not change the essential flaws of the pork barrel system as a breeding ground for corruption and patronage politics.
In fact, the sham reforms that Aquino announced will very well concentrate the funds and its disbursement in his own hands – hands that are not free of the pork barrel and anomalies.
The scandal triggered by the exposition of the schemes involving Janet Lim-Napoles is said to be just the tip of the iceberg.
It could very well be considering the series of exposes by some media and many people’s organizations on the pork barrel allotted for and unaccounted by the president himself. Aquino himself is not exempted from our anger for not only does he enjoy more public funds than all other pork barrels combined, it is under his administration that the likes of Napoles thrive and corruption spreads due to his corruption-prone programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer or the Malampaya oil and gas project, and the impunity that is prevalent in his government.
For the past few days, OFWs in Hong Kong rallied and conducted a street picnic protest to express our anger and disgust, and to show our unity with our families, friends and fellow Filipinos who will all gather tomorrow in major places all around the country.
We will not let up in the campaign against pork barrel system and the very system that perpetuates corruption.
What are at stake are the OFWs who are in need of direct services but are denied of such, our loved ones in the Philippines who are forced to shell out huge money just so they can avail of health care and education due to the privatization of schools and hospitals, our fellow Filipinos who are enduring untold poverty and displacement, and us OFWs whose major dream is to be able to reunite with our loved ones in a society where can live decently.
For these reasons, we shall continue to sound our calls and act for their realization.
Signed:
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-HK)
United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK)
Abra Tingguian Ilocano Society (ATIS-HK)
Cordillera Alliance – HK
United Pangasinan in Hong Kong (UPHK)
Filipino Migrant Worker’s Union (FMWU)
GABRIELA-HK
Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR-HK)
Association of Filipino Women Migrant Workers (FILWOM)
FMWU – Chater Garden Chapter
FMWU – Admiralty Chapter
Filipino Migrants Association (FMA)
Association of Concerned Filipinos (ACFIL)
Pangasinan Organization for Welfare, Empowerment and Rights (POWER)
Migrante – HK Bank Chapter
Gabriela – HK Bank Chapter
LUZVIMINDA Migrante HK Bank Chapter
Balungao Overseas Workers Association (BOWA)
Binalonan Migrant Workers Organization (BMWO)
Hong Kong Villasinian Association (HKVA)
Natividad Pangasinan Organization (NPO)
Sta. Maria de Pila Migrants Association (SMMA)
Villasis Pangasinan Organization (VPO)
KAJEM
Ifugao Association
Sadanga Organization
Southern Ilocos Sur Association
Otucan Migrant Workers Organization
Kalinga Province HK Workers Association
Namwaw-Mankayan
Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili
LIKHA Filipino Migrants Cultural Organization
Filipino Friends – HK
Friends of Bethune House (FBH-HK)
FILGUYS
Palawan Migrants Association
Komadrona – HK
FMWU – Charter Road Chapter
Cuyapo Association – HK
Migrante – Forum Chapter
Migrante – Shatin Chapter
Gabriela – Tsuen Wan Chapter
Abra Migrant Workers Welfare Association (AMWWA)
Annak Ti Maeng Tubo
Baggak Ti ATIS Cultural Group
Bangued Hong Kong Organization
BCIG, La Paz
Bucay Migrant Workers
Bucloc Hong Kong Organizations
Divine Word Migrants Apostolate
Ganagan San Juan Association
Ikmin Valley Organization Boliney
Lagangilang Overseas Association
Licuan Hong Kong Association
Mabama Organization Malibcong
Maeng Tribe of Abra Luba HK
Manabo Hong Kong Organization
Migrants Association of San Isidro Abra
Timpuyog Ti Tayum
Tineg Overseas Association
Philippine Independent Church (PIC) Choir
Women of the Philippine Independent Church (WOPIC)
United Filipinos in Hong Kong
E-mail: secretariat@unifil.org.hk
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