Signature campaign vs pork barrel in Cebu starts Saturday

By: Ador Vincent S. Mayol - 10 years ago

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/cebu.summit

CEBU CITY—A coalition of 80 organizations is moving ahead with a plan to gather 5.4 million signatures to pass legislation via a people’s initiative to scrap the pork barrel system.

The Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System is launching a signature campaign here on Saturday on the anniversary of the Cry of Balintawak when members of the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio rose up in arms and tore their community tax certificates to start their revolt against Spain in 1896.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, the group will spearhead the National People’s Congress to discuss the proposed Pork Barrel Abolition Act at the Cebu Mariner’s Court near Pier 1 in downtown Cebu City.

When the congress ends at 3 p.m., the signature campaign for the passage of the proposed legislation would immediately follow at the nearby Cebu Plaza Independencia.

“We believe that to finally abolish the legislative and executive pork barrel, and as a step in reforming our political system, the people must exercise one of the most important powers granted to it under the 1987 Philippine Constitution —the People’s Initiative option,” said the coalition, composed of 80 organizations representing religious, academic, business and civil society groups.

Under Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act of 1989, private citizens can push for the passage or amendment of a law by having a petition signed by at least 10 percent of all registered voters and at least three percent of all voters in each of the 234 legislative districts.

A referendum must be held within 45 to 90 days once the petition has been filed with the Commission on Elections.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has issued a pastoral letter, urging the Cebu clergy, members of the religious, seminarians, and lay persons to support the People‘s Initiative.

“This is a historic project. It is my hope for the entire Archdiocese of Cebu to unite and support this advocacy, which is also my own advocacy. I enjoin all parishioners and people from all walks of life—students, professionals, businessmen, laborers, farmers, fishermen, and poor members of the society—to join the signature campaign this Saturday,” the prelate said.

Under the proposed Pork Barrel Abolition Act, all proposed budgets submitted to any legislative body shall contain only itemized or line-item appropriations, except for the purpose of relief and rescue operations during calamities, and for the intelligence funds.

Releases from lump sum funds allowed under the act shall be supported with schedules indicating the specific government agency that received them and their specific purposes.

The proposed legislation also calls for the abolition of the Presidential Social Fund. It also penalizes any public officer who authorizes spending public money which is not covered by or is in violation of any appropriation ordinance or law.

Violators would face one to 10 years’ imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office.