CEBU CITY, Philippines — The anti-pork barrel coalition here plans an interfaith rally on Independence Day next Thursday to demand the prosecution of everybody involved in the diversion of billions of pesos from the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel.
Speaking at a the 888 News Forum here on Tuesday, Msgr. Rommel Kintanar of the Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System said the rally waqs in support of calls for the jailing of at least three senators and their co-accused in plunder and corruption charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on Monday and Tuesday.
Kintanar said the group was also demanding the resignation of the three senators who have been charged thus far—Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
However, Kintanar added, other lawmakers involved in the P10 billion pork barrel scam should also be charged along with Enrile, Estrada and Revilla.
“We are happy with the progress of the investigation. But we also have our dismay. Why only these three? When will the investigation be completed of those others involved?” he told the media.
The rally is expected to gather 2,000 sectoral representatives from church and the youth groups.
Organizers have chosen Fuente Osmeña Circle to be the venue and have invited Cebuano bands to render songs.
Expected to speak on Thursday are Ken Ecarma of STAND-USC (Student Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy- University of San Carlos) representing the youth sector, Rev. Jesse Primacio of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and retired Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes.
Stella Monteno-Palomo, one of the anti-pork rally organizers, urged people to come and join them in their call for the truth.
“Watching TV is not enough. We have to be heard. We have to make things happen,” she said.
Meanwhile, the group is also set to host the National People’s Congress and the Pork Abolition Act Signature Campaign slated on August 23.
This multi-sectoral meeting is aimed at collecting signatures to a petition demanding the passage of a bill that would abolish the pork barrel system once and for all.
The bill is a consolidated effort of seven major groups which launched movements against pork barrel, including People’s Initiative Coalition Against Dynasty, EPIRMA, Cebu Coalition against the Pork Barrel System and Makabayan bloc.
With this people’s initiative, the group believes that the bill would not have to undergo the legislative process of Congress if the initiative succeeds in collcting signatures representing at least three percent of voters in each of the country’s 234 congressional district’s and at least 10 percent of the total Philippine voting population.
When accomplished, it will be certified so by the Commission on Elections, which would then hold a plebiscite in which a simple majority of in favor would be enough to make it a law.
The group said the People’s Congress will be a venue for representatives from Congressional districts and organization leaders to approve the final draft of the bill.
The People’s Congress is planned to be launched on August 23 in line with the anniversary of the Cry of Balintawak.
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