Militants tell Aquino: Spare no one in ‘pork’ scam

MANILA, Philippines—Militant group Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (Bayan) in Metro Manila expressed fears over the possibilities of “selective prosecution and cover-up” in resolving the controversial pork barrel scam.

“Out of the almost 20 past and present senators, 100 former and incumbent congressmen mentioned in the Napolist of the alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles, we are wondering why investigations and filing of cases seem to focus only on very particular personalities,” said Mark Louie Aquino, secretary-general of Bayan Metro Manila, in a statement Wednesday.

Bayan-Metro Manila accused that the Aquino administration is backing up its allies supposedly involved in the controversy such as Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala among others, and is instead focusing and speeding-up cases against political rivals including Senators Ramon Revilla, Jose Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.

If Aquino really wants to resolve the issue “then it must let the wheels of justice take its due course for all the personalities involved in the controversy and must spare no one, whether those belonging in the administration and opposition parties.”

“Investigations that will be made must undergo due processes and not just for the sake of grandstanding,” Bayan said.

On Thursday, Independence Day (June 12), a massive anti-pork barrel rally is set nationwide.

Bayan is preparing for a large mock ‘pigpen’-inspired jail with a photo collage of personalities who allegedly diverted their Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations to bogus non-government organizations allegedly set up by Napoles.

Several groups will assemble in the afternoon at Liwasang Bonifacio and march to Bonifacio Shrine then later head to Mendiola.

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