White, black ribbons symbols of protest vs DAP

Protests are mounting nationwide, including in Baguio City, against continuing corruption in the government. VINCENT CABREZA/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

ILOILO CITY—Instead of yellow, white and black ribbons have sprouted on Panay Island and in Guimaras province to protest corruption under the administration of President Aquino, who won the 2010 presidential elections on a good governance platform.

At least 400 parishes of various religious denominations on the islands have launched a nine-day prayer campaign to push for the total abolition of all forms of pork barrel.

The “Prayer for Moral Regeneration, National Conversion and Unity” started on Sunday and will end on July 28, when President Aquino delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“Various churches have come together because we believe that the evil Priority Development Assistance Fund and  Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) live and are even defended by President Aquino despite the Supreme Court decision ruling these as unconstitutional,” said Fr. Marco Sulayao, spokesperson of Promotion of Church People’s Response-Panay.

The churches and religious groups include the Jaro archdiocese of the Catholic Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and Western Visayas Ecumenical Council.

“We urge the faithful to pray for transparency in governance, and for honesty and true government service,” the groups said in a statement.

The church groups have also placed white ribbons in front of churches as part of their protest.

President Aquino earlier called on the public to display yellow ribbons to show support for his administration.

In the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan province, militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan distributed black ribbons in government offices to show their protest against the President. The protesters also tied black ribbons around poles, trees and fences.

In Bacolod City, anti-DAP groups will hold a prayer vigil “for integrity and accountability in public service” at San Sebastian Cathedral during the Sona, according to Fr. Felix Pasquin, cathedral rector.

Protests against the systematic theft of public funds through pork barrel are widespread in the Visayas.

At the celebration of the country’s 116th independence anniversary, groups held rallies instead of joining government officials in independence rites.

Protesters in Panay also deplored the Aquino administration for the delay in the implementation of rehabilitation programs and delivery of help to survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”