MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 21, 2013) – The Alliance of Concerned Teachers in the Philippines renewed its calls to abolish so-called “pork barrel” given to lawmakers and President Benigno Aquino, himself, following a corruption scandal involving kickbacks from shady projects.
Aquino has repeatedly said that he does not favor abolishing the Priority Development Assistance Fund enjoyed by senators and congressmen. But he said that the release of the fund would be suspended until investigations into the scandal are completed.
Senators get P200 million while congressmen take P70 million annually for their development projects. And Aquino reportedly has over P1 trillion in pork barrel at his disposal.
“Wed were not surprised to Aquino’s decision to suspend only the disbursement of pork barrel funds. Essentially, he likes to keep the pork barrel system for himself and his political allies.
“No amount of new guidelines can cover a crime. Misuse of public funds is a crime. We therefore hold President Aquino equally responsible of this crime for a decision glowing with self-serving interest,” Benjie Valbuena, ACT president, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
“We maintain that the pork barrel system should be abolished because it is inherently anti-people and anti-development. In the first place, how and where to use people’s taxes is not a function of the lawmakers. It is the national government that decides on priorities, not lawmakers who use pork barrel funds to” buy back,” he said.
Rep. Antonio Tinio also said Aquino’s suspension of releases of pork barrel funds is a token act intended to take the heat off of the hated pork barrel and then save it ultimately.
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