More than 5,300 netizens have commited to joining a “protest picnic” in front of the Luneta grandstand on August 26 to express their outrage at recently uncovered anomalies in the use of Congressional funds.
Organizers of the Protesta ng Bayan (The Nation’s Protest) said on the event’s Facebook page that the protest is meant to push for the scrapping of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel”.
A Commission on Audit report released last week showed billions given to lawmakers from 2007 to 2009 for their pet projects went to foundations and charities that did not exist. Other lawmakers were also cited for giving pork barel money to foundations that had them as board members and incorporators.
Aside from the scrapping of the PDAF, protesters will also demand “senators and congressmen in the Pork Barrel Fund Scam investigated and charged accordingly with full media coverage for the people to see.”
To stress that the protest against corruption goes beyond party lines, organizers have banned group banners, political colors, and speeches. They have instead asked those who will go to wear white.
“We need this outrage, anger to reach critical mass. SPREAD THE WORD. REPOST,” they said.
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Photo: Event Facebook page
