MAKABAYAN bloc members speak to the media outside the House of Representatives compound after walking out of the session hall before President Benigno Aquino III delivered his State of the Nation Address. RYAN LEAGOGO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III would just utter “lies” to defend the unconstitutional Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to fool the Filipinos.
This was the reason behind the walkout of the peach-wearing Makabayan bloc minutes after the President started delivering his report to the nation on Monday.
”We have had enough of his promises and lies,” the leftwing lawmakers said in a text message.
“It’s now time to impeach the President who has further pushed our countrymen into increasing poverty,” it added.
The walkout was led by representatives of Anakpawis, Kabataan Partylist, ACT Teachers, Bayan Muna and women’s party Gabriela, including Terry Ridon, Fernando Hicap, Antonio Tinio, Neri Colmenares, Carlos Zarate, Emmi de Jesus, and Luzviminda Ilagan.
The seven-member group wore peach gowns and Barong Tagalog with laces of peace to signify their support for Aquino’s “im-peach-ment.”
Ilagan, who donned a peach terno embroidered with black beads, showed to the media her “sablay” with an image of a bejeweled pig labeled “pork barrel king, panagutin!”
“We walked out because we want to be part of the people protesting around Congress holding the People’s Sona today,” she said.
There are thousands of protesters gathered meters away from the Batasan Complex along Commonwealth Avenue to denounce Aquino’s annual national address.
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