Parts of Manila closed to traffic due to anti-pork rally

MANILA, Philippines – Several roads in Manila are set to be closed to traffic for another anti-pork barrel protest at the Luneta Park Friday afternoon, police said.

Police Senior Police Officer 1 Glen Herardo of Manila Police District-Traffic division said the northbound and southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Drive to TM Kalaw will be closed to traffic at 1 p.m.

Herardo said all vehicles coming from southern part of Manila intending to usestreets of Roxas Boulevard (northbound lane) should turn right to TM Kalaw to point of destination.

“Sa Kalaw sila liliko. Mag ta-Taft sila,” Herardo said.

In an advisory, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renator Reyes Jr. said they were expecting participants from the religious groups, civic groups, students, and other concerned citizens.

Reyes said there will be an interfaith rally at 3 p.m., followed by a cultural and educational program. At 6 p.m., the Rock and Rage concert will be held.

Bayan will march from Liwasang Bonifacio, while religious groups will come from San Agustin Church in Intramuros and United Methodist Church in Kalaw.

Students and professionals will come from Taft-PGH.

A similar protest called “Million People March to Luneta” was held at the same park last month.

“This issue is now beyond Janet Napoles, and her bogus NGO’s. The issue strikes at the heart of the corrupt system itself. Corruption is not confined to just one administration but is a recurring

phenomenon throughout all administrations including the present,” Fr. Joe Dizon said.

“Will there be genuine accountability or is the President using the entire two-month running episode as a political weapon to attack his enemies or as a defense for his allies and himself? Either way, or both, he has failed to assuage the public outrage which has risen from the scandal,” Dizon added.