Protesters’ battle cry: ‘Hold Aquino accountable’

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Several protest groups under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan are gearing up for the rallies on Monday, July 28, when President Benigno Aquino III delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address.

“President Aquino will have to account for many things. He has to account for the pork barrel funds under the Disbursement Acceleration Program. He has to account for all his failed promises delivered during his past Sona’s. He has to be held accountable for plunging the country deeper in crisis,” Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.

Bayan said that Monday’s rallies will be bigger than last year, with corruption and poverty issues hounding the President. For them, “it is time to hold Aquino accountable.”

The protesters will march along Commonwealth Avenue leading to Batasang Pambansa, which is often barricaded by the police. Other protests will also be held nationwide.

Reyes also said that Congress should feel insulted if the President will use the Sona as a platform to defend the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program which was recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

“That would be a slap in the face of Congress, especially since DAP was all about usurping the power of Congress so that the President can violate the General Appropriations Act and disburse pork barrel funds. Lawmakers should grow a spine and not allow the President to act like a dictator. Or will Congress just shut up because they are happy receiving pork funds from the President?” Reyes said.

Aquino’s Sona will also come at a time that he is several facing impeachment complaints.

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