“The reason why we are protesting today is because all succeeding regimes after Marcos failed to stamp out bureaucrat plunder and government abuse. The pork barrel scam reminds us how little has changed from the time of the dictator. Clearly, the system is the problem.” – Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo, Bayan
By RONALYN V. OLEA and JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Braving a gloomy weather forecast, protesters trooped to Rizal Park (formerly Luneta) to join the #neverPORKget protest action.
Organized by the #Abolishpork Movement, the #neverPORKget gathered together activists during martial law and the younger generations who never had a taste of the Marcos dictatorship.
Speaking during the program at the Rizal Park, Carol Pagaduan-Araullo, chairwoman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), explained that the term #neverPORKget aptly describes how the system has not changed from the time of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos until the current administration of Benigno Aquino III.
“The reason why we are protesting today is because all succeeding regimes after Marcos failed to stamp out bureaucrat plunder and government abuse,” Araullo, then a student activist during martial law years, said. “The pork barrel scam reminds us how little has changed from the time of the dictator. Clearly, the system is the problem.”
Marcos declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972. He was ousted through a popular uprising in February 1986.
National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera said martial law taught the Filipino people how to value freedom. “Marcos curtailed individual freedoms,” he said. “But what is even more horrifying is the repression of people’s rights,” he said in Filipino.
“Martial law has something to do with pork barrel. Like before, the people’s wealth is being stolen by individuals without conscience, by those who only think of their personal interests,” Lumbera said.
In an interview with Bulatlat.com, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz said, “Before, during martial law, the people were oppressed. Now, the people are still being oppressed. It’s the same; the Filipino people bear the brunt of all sufferings.”
Speaking to the audience, Cruz said in Filipino. “I pity you. When you earn, you pay taxes. When you spend, you pay taxes. When you buy canned goods, you pay taxes. When you buy your coffin, you have to pay taxes too.”
Then, he delivered a pickup line. “Ano ibig sabihin ng pork barrel? Kababuyan. Ano ibig sabihin ng pork barrel scam? Pambababoy. Ano ibig sabihin ng ayaw kong alisin ang pork barrel? Baboy ako.”
While Cruz welcomed the filing of charges against alleged plunderers, he said it is not enough to prosecute those involved. “They must return the people’s money,” Cruz said. “It is right to investigate, to prosecute and detain [those involved] but they must give back to the people what they have stolen.”
Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam, opposition senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, along several others, were charged with plunder.
Cruz said he remains hopeful that charges will also be filed against others who are implicated in the scam, including partymates of President Benigno Aquino III.
Theologian Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, told Bulatlat.com that “pork barrel scam is a manifestation of a system that is not changing. The system is the cause of corruption.”
Alforque who was detained during martial law said the ruling elite then is the same ruling elite now. “Like before, political dynasties are landlords, big business.”
“There is democracy only for those who do not meddle in politics,” Alforque said. “Government critics are either arrested, charged with common crimes or killed. And perpetrators of these crimes are not punished.”
According to human rights watchdog Karapatan, extrajudicial killings have gone up to 153 under the Aquino administration, and frustrated extrajudicial killing to 168. There are now 449 political detainees; while documented victims of forced eviction and demolition are almost 13,000 and, forced evacuation nearing 32,000.
‘Level up’
Speaking on stage, Mae Paner alias Juana Change asked the crowd if Napoles and the other accused are guilty. The protesters replied yes.
“Are the guilty in our country punished?” Juana Change asked in Filipino. When the crowd replied ‘No,’ she said, “So what’s the point of being here?”
“For change to happen, everyone must be politically conscious,” Juana Change said. She challenged the protesters to multiply in numbers. “We need to level up our protest,” she said.
For his part, Renato Reyes Jr., Bayan secretary general accused Aquino of fooling the people.
“The Congress is about to ratify the national budget for 2014 and it includes allocations for the pork barrel, albeit in a different name,” Reyes said in Filipino.
“Aquino said after the August 26 protest that he is our ally but he turns out to be the protector of the corrupt. He does not want to abolish the PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund]. Now, even the rehabilitation of the damage done to Zamboanga city is being used as justification for the pork barrel system,” Reyes said.
“From New Society to straight path, nothing has really changed,” Reyes said, referring to the slogans of the late dictator Marcos and Benigno Aquino III.
Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador said “If Marcos had cronies, Aquino has KKK – kaklase, kaibigan at kabarilan.”
“We will not be fooled,” Reyes said.
From Rizal Park, the protesters marched to Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola bridge).
Speaking during the program, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares said, “The pork barrel system is not yet dead and so our struggle continues.”
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Karapatan chairwoman, said corruption against the poor is also a form of violence. “To rebel is justified,” she said. “What we stand to lose are our chains of poverty and ignorance.”
Anakbayan chairman Vencer Crisostomo warned Aquino and his allies. “Do not be at ease because the people’s movement in the cities and rural areas is advancing.”
Crisostomo called on fellow protesters to prepare for the next demonstrations scheduled in October. (http://bulatlat.com)
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