MEMBERS of GABRIELA joined the multi-sectoral action at the gates of the House of Representatives to demand the removal of the P1.3 Trillion Presidential pork barrel from the 2014 national budget.
The group called it an additional burden to the Filipino people because instead of being used directly for social services, the funds are placed at the discretion of the President.
“A single person having power over half of the country’s budget is unimaginable! The inherent problem with the pork barrel system is that it leaves using the people’s funds to the sole discretion and whim of individual politicos, including the president himself. No matter how the Palace defends it, the presidential pork is patronage politics at its worst,” said Gert Ranjo-Libang, Vice Chairperson of GABRIELA and Convenor of BabaLa! (Babae Laban sa Katiwalian), an alliance of women against corruption.
Malacanang, as well as other Aquino allies, earlier defended the Presidential pork, saying that it is being used mostly as calamity fund.
Libang said that many government agencies already focus on disaster relief, rehabilitation and management like the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and PAGASA, as well as line agencies Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Social Welfare and Development. “Presidential pork for calamity funds is actually unnecessary. In fact, its presence in the budget is proof that funds of these agencies are not being put to proper use.”
She also warned Congress against fast-tracking the budget hearings to secure the pork barrel and encouraged the public to remain vigilant against possible plans to subvert the public clamor by hiding the pork barrel, including the President’s, in various line items but will still allow Congress representatives to dictate its use. “Same pork, same corruption,” Libang averred.
GABRIELA and BabaLa! will join the planned mobilizations on September 11, 13 and 21 and will also hold a “Women Chain against Corruption” on September 18.
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