Abolishing the Pork Barrel System in commemoration of Martial Law
A protest calling for the abolishment of the Pork Barrel ensued at the Osmeña Circle this morning September 21, in commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the promulgation of Martial Law by Former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Various groups from different sectors of society such as the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Anak Pawis Party List, Piston Party List, Kabataan Party List, Bayan, Bayan Muna, AMA – Sugbu – KMU, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Carolinian Sociological – Anthropological Society, and Abolish Pork System Movement – Cebu, together with students from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), University of the Philippines (UP), and the University of San Carlos (USC), showed support to the cause by holding their banners high and raising their voices as they shout in agreement with their cause. The protesters walk originated in the Osmeña Circle to the Cebu City Hall, where they were greeted by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who had given them a spot at the city hall for their protest. To show unity despite being from different political parties and different social strata, majority of the protesters wore white – a symbol of purity and benevolence.
The 10 billion pork barrel scam is one of the biggest problems begetting our country at the moment. With politicians and high-profiled personalities spending money like it were theirs while the rest of the country stays in underdevelopment, it is of no wonder that the people have begun to question the authority.
September 21, 1972 was the day where our forefathers started to change their perceptions of power and make a move on freedom. Today, our countrymen reform their views once again and take to the streets to make a move on change; making today’s protest a spectacle to behold. The protesters had three major themes during the protest: the abolishment of the pork barrel system, the prosecution of all the guilty parties and the allocation of the Pork Barrel Fund to basic social services such as free housing, free hospitalization, and free education.
