NAGA CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA) --- Some 2,000 protesters marched off the streets of this city Monday, August 26. calling for the total abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel and urging the government to be vigilant in spending the people’s hard earned money.
Caceres Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona led the protesters in a peaceful protest dubbed “Prayer Rally for the Restoration of Integrity” as the church calls for a unified stance to condemn the use of the tax payer’s money under the pork barrel scheme.
In a pastoral letter read in various churches in the Archdiocese Sunday, Tirona called on the public to demand for speedy and fair investigation of those people behind the scam and make them accountable for using the government fund in their own personal use.
“The lawful conviction of those guilty will signal the commitment of our government to truth and justice,” Tirona said to the church’s faithfuls.
Members of various non-government organizations, civil society organizations, private offices and concerned individuals composed of nuns, priests, students and teachers, heeded the call of the Archbishop by joning the march rally undeterred by rains towards Plaza Quezon.
In a fused sentiment, the Coalition for Bicol Development, CamSur Net, COPE Foundation, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Scrap the Pork Movement, Robredo Movement and other groups expressed their gripe carrying placards calling for the abolition of PDAF.
During the prayer vigil, the CBCP Statement and the Pastoral Letter were read by heads of various organizations and later explained by Archbishop Tirona. Candles were lighted and after the final prayer and blessing of the Archbishop, “Bayan Ko” was sang by the participants. The protesters ended the activity by singing “Resuene Vibrante” hymn as Ina’s image exited the prayer site.
The "Himno a la Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia" or "Resuene Vibrante" as Bicolanos call it is the official hymn of the devotees to our Lady of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.
In the morning, members of the militant groups also gathered in a protest rally at the Plaza Rizal denouncing the use of the pork barrel. The informal gathering dubbed as “Scrap the Pork Barrel” movement was participated by people from all walks of life who signified their presence by signing on the commitment wall and counting their names on the signature campaign to totally scrap the pork barrel in the country.
Meanwhile, the Palace also reiterated that the administration is on the people’s side on scrapping the pork barrel after President Benigno Aquino III unceremoniously abolished the PDAF, Friday.
“Despite the reforms we have implemented, we have seen, as the events of the past weeks have shown, that greater change is necessary to fight against those who are determined to abuse the system. It is time to abolish PDAF. Now, we will create a new mechanism to address the needs of your constituents and sectors, in a manner that is transparent, methodical and rational, and not susceptible to abuse or corruption,” the President stated. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=861377578838#sthash.sr4uS770.dpuf
Caceres Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona led the protesters in a peaceful protest dubbed “Prayer Rally for the Restoration of Integrity” as the church calls for a unified stance to condemn the use of the tax payer’s money under the pork barrel scheme.
In a pastoral letter read in various churches in the Archdiocese Sunday, Tirona called on the public to demand for speedy and fair investigation of those people behind the scam and make them accountable for using the government fund in their own personal use.
“The lawful conviction of those guilty will signal the commitment of our government to truth and justice,” Tirona said to the church’s faithfuls.
Members of various non-government organizations, civil society organizations, private offices and concerned individuals composed of nuns, priests, students and teachers, heeded the call of the Archbishop by joning the march rally undeterred by rains towards Plaza Quezon.
In a fused sentiment, the Coalition for Bicol Development, CamSur Net, COPE Foundation, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Scrap the Pork Movement, Robredo Movement and other groups expressed their gripe carrying placards calling for the abolition of PDAF.
During the prayer vigil, the CBCP Statement and the Pastoral Letter were read by heads of various organizations and later explained by Archbishop Tirona. Candles were lighted and after the final prayer and blessing of the Archbishop, “Bayan Ko” was sang by the participants. The protesters ended the activity by singing “Resuene Vibrante” hymn as Ina’s image exited the prayer site.
The "Himno a la Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia" or "Resuene Vibrante" as Bicolanos call it is the official hymn of the devotees to our Lady of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.
In the morning, members of the militant groups also gathered in a protest rally at the Plaza Rizal denouncing the use of the pork barrel. The informal gathering dubbed as “Scrap the Pork Barrel” movement was participated by people from all walks of life who signified their presence by signing on the commitment wall and counting their names on the signature campaign to totally scrap the pork barrel in the country.
Meanwhile, the Palace also reiterated that the administration is on the people’s side on scrapping the pork barrel after President Benigno Aquino III unceremoniously abolished the PDAF, Friday.
“Despite the reforms we have implemented, we have seen, as the events of the past weeks have shown, that greater change is necessary to fight against those who are determined to abuse the system. It is time to abolish PDAF. Now, we will create a new mechanism to address the needs of your constituents and sectors, in a manner that is transparent, methodical and rational, and not susceptible to abuse or corruption,” the President stated. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=861377578838#sthash.sr4uS770.dpuf
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