Church groups gear up for rally vs pork

SLAUGHTER THE PORKERS. Members of the militant group Courage on Sunday raise their fists with the word “rage” written on their fingers to signify their readiness for Wednesday’s rally against pork on Edsa. EDWIN BELLOSILLO

ILOILO CITY—Church groups and various organizations in Iloilo province will hold protest actions this week against the pork barrel system.

But the antipork barrel groups in Negros Occidental will not hold any mass action on Sept. 11, although they will continue to monitor developments in the investigation of Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam.

An alliance in Iloilo called “Abolish Pork Barrel Now Na!” aims to sustain the call to scrap all forms of discretionary funds of legislators and the Office of the President.

The alliance, which includes Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and the Promotion for Church People’s Response, will spearhead a candle-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the grounds of Jaro Cathedral.

The ceremony will be preceded by a Mass to be officiated by Alminaza and will be followed by an interfaith rally that is expected to be joined by Church leaders and members of the Western Visayas Ecumenical Council, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

“The corruption scandal is not just a matter of legality and laws. It is an offense against God, especially on His commandment against stealing, as what the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has pointed out,” Alminaza told the Inquirer.