Group calls for permanent end to pork barrel system
Mae Paner (wearing mask) of the Scrap Pork Network urges the public to join their People’s Initiative Against Pork Barrel which aims to pass “The Pork Barrel Abolition Act.” MATIKAS SANTOS/ INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – The Abolish Pork Movement announced Monday the launch of their People’s Initiative Against Pork Barrel that aims to permanently remove the pork barrel system and all forms of lump sum appropriations in government.
“We maintain that the pork barrel system – where the spending of billions of lump sum public funds are delegated to the president, individual legislators, or any other public officer – is a major source of corruption and political patronage,” the movement said in a press conference.
“This corrupt system is an undue delegation of Congress’ power to appropriate public funds that undermines the system of checks and balances and goes against the principles of transparency and accountability,” it said.
Bayan Muna Party-list representative Neri Colmenares and members of the anti-pork barrel movement Mae Paner, Mary John Mananzan, Dr. Carol Araullo, Fr. Ben Alforque, Atty. Rex Fernandez have drafted a bill that they would submit in a People’s Congress in Cebu on August 23, 2014.
The bill known as “The Pork Barrel Abolition Act” prohibits all forms of lump sum discretionary appropriations and states a penalty of one year to 10 years with perpetual disqualification from public office.
Colmenares said that the bill prohibits the realignment of “savings” of government agencies and mandates that all government departments should specify the budget they need for each and every project.
No public official should be allowed to spend for things that are not included in the budget, he said.
The draft bill will be brought before the People’s Congress in Cebu where it will be finalized and after which there will be a nationwide education and signature campaign.
Colmenares said they will need 10 percent of the total number of registered voters. It will then be submitted to the Commission on Elections which would call for a referendum for the bill to be enacted into law.
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